Donald Trump officially settled into his second term as the US president merely months ago. However, potential 2028 GOP presidential nominees are already making their moves. The MAGA leader, on the other hand, already seems to have named his favourite in the much-later-to-come race.
On Tuesday, he suggested that Vice President JD Vance was the “most likely” heir apparent to the ‘Make American Great Again’ (MAGA) movement, and in turn, an undeniable future presidential candidate.
Reporters popped the big question, wondering if Vance was indeed a popular name for the potential 2028 Republican ticket. Without beating around the bush, Trump said, “Well, I think most likely.” Nodding to the suggestion that JD Vance was his campaign’s “heir apparent,” the 79-year-old US leader added, “In all fairness, he’s the vice president.”
In the same breath, he noted how it was basically too early to talk about the issue. And yet, he went on to shower Vance with praise, adding, “…but certainly he’s doing a great job, and he would be probably favorite at this point.” Trump’s most recent admission on the matter somewhat aligns with what he said in February about Vance. Calling him “very capable,” Trump asserted at the time that it was too early to talk about a leading candidate for the 2028 presidential race.
JD Vance vs Marco Rubio to become JD Vance and Marco Rubio for the 2028 race?
In addition to name-dropping Vance, Donald Trump also positioned his focus on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has essentially been a firebrand partner in the American president’s immigration crackdown efforts as well. Back in 2024, Rubio’s name also came up as a potential running mate for Trump.
“I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form,” he continued, proposing that Vance as president and Rubio as vice president could be something Americans could look forward to in an upcoming Republican nomination.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi were some other big names accompanying Trump on Tuesday. Consequently, the POTUS pointed to them, saying, “I also thing we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here.”
Where potential president and VP picks stand?
On the flip side, Marco Rubio has also briefly addressed the talks of the 2028 GOP ticket. Calling Vance a “great nominee,” the state secretary commended his efforts as the US vice president. “He’s a close friend and I hope he intends to do it, but I know it’s kind of early,” Rubio told the POTUS’ daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, on Fox News.
Meanwhile, Vance seems to be on the same page as Rubio about their friendship despite emerging as rivals for the 2025 VP pick. The former recently told CNN that the latter was “ncredibly competent and reliable, and he’s also one of my closest friends in the administration.”
Moreover, Rubio hasn’t entirely said no to the possibility of turning up for his own presidential run. Potentially tossing his name into the mix, he said, “You never know what the future holds.”