WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” the leading contender to carry the MAGA torch in 2028, calling him “probably favored” to become the Republican presidential frontrunner.
“I think most likely, in all fairness—he’s the vice president,” Trump said, when asked whether Vance was the heir apparent to his Make America Great Again movement.
He also suggested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio could emerge as a potential running mate or ally to Vance.
“I think Marco is also somebody that maybe will get together with JD in some form,” he said.
Trump made the remarks at the White House during the signing ceremony for an executive order creating a task force for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Still, he acknowledged it was too soon to make predictions.
“I also think we have incredible people,” Trump said. “It’s too early, obviously, to talk about it.”
“But certainly, he’s doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point,” Trump said of his vice president.
Earlier in the day, Trump told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that he would “probably” not run for president again after his second term. Asked if he would consider a third run, Trump replied: “No. Probably not.
“I’d like to run. I have the best poll numbers I’ve ever had. You know why? Because people love the tariffs.”
Rubio also praised Vance during an interview last week, calling him a “great nominee” for the 2028 presidential race.
“I think JD Vance would be a great nominee,” Rubio told Fox News’s Lara Trump. “I think he’s doing a great job as vice president. He’s a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it. I know it’s kind of early.”
Meanwhile, Rubio continues to be viewed by many as a potential contender himself, which he didn’t rule out.
“I feel honestly—you never know what the future holds. You never rule things out or anything, because you just don’t know,” he said. “Things change very quickly.”
In a May interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the president named both Rubio and Vance as potential successors to the MAGA movement.
“You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, who’s fantastic,” Trump said back then. “You look at—I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here.”
It was the first time Trump had explicitly named Rubio as a potential successor, creating speculation about a potential competition between Vance and Rubio.
Despite mentioning both as contenders during the NBC interview, Trump suggested that Vance may have an edge in 2028 because of his current role.
Recent polling also indicates that Vance is widely seen as the GOP frontrunner for the 2028 race.
A June Emerson College poll showed Vance leading the hypothetical Republican presidential primary field with 46 percent support, well ahead of Rubio at 12 percent and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 9 percent.
If you found this article interesting, please consider supporting traditional journalism
Our first edition was published 25 years ago from a basement in Atlanta. Today, The Epoch Times brings fact-based, award-winning journalism to millions of Americans.
Our journalists have been threatened, arrested, and assaulted, but our commitment to independent journalism has never wavered. This year marks our 25th year of independent reporting, free from corporate and political influence.
That’s why you’re invited to a limited-time introductory offer — just $1 per week — so you can join millions already celebrating independent news.