Trump Names Rubio and Vance as Potential 2028 GOP Leaders, Sparking Speculation on Party's Future

In an NBC interview, President Donald Trump named Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors for the 2028 presidential election. Trump's remarks, made early in his second term, have sparked speculation about Republican leadership. While not endorsing either, Trump elevated both figures, suggesting a possible future rivalry or alliance. Rubio, once a Trump rival, now holds significant roles in the administration, while Vance, as vice president, is seen as a leading successor. Both have embraced Trump's agenda, positioning themselves as key figures in the GOP's future.

Trump Opens the Door to 2028 Speculation

During the interview, Trump was asked by host Kristen Welker about who might lead the MAGA movement after his presidency. “You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, who’s fantastic,” Trump said, before adding, “I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here.” The mention of Rubio before Vance caught the attention of White House aides and political analysts, as it marked the first time Trump publicly floated Rubio as a potential successor.

Trump’s comments come amid growing chatter about whether he might seek a third term, a notion he appeared to dismiss in the same interview. “So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that,” Trump said. “But it’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.” Instead, he expressed a desire to “turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican to carry it forward.”

Rubio’s Rapid Rise in Trump’s Inner Circle

Once a fierce rival of Trump during the 2016 GOP primary, Marco Rubio has undergone a political transformation that has brought him closer to the president’s worldview. Now serving as Secretary of State, Rubio has also been appointed interim national security adviser, acting USAID administrator, and acting lead archivist—making him the first person since Henry Kissinger to hold both the top diplomatic and national security roles simultaneously.

Rubio’s expanded portfolio is widely seen as a sign of Trump’s growing trust in him. “When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved,” Trump said at a recent prayer breakfast. Four senior administration officials confirmed that Rubio has become a regular presence at both the White House and Mar-a-Lago, further cementing his status as a key player in Trump’s orbit.

Despite his past as a foreign policy hawk, Rubio has aligned himself with Trump’s America First agenda, opposing recent Ukraine aid packages and advocating for a more isolationist approach. “He’s decided to accommodate,” said Gerald Feierstein, a former State Department official. “This is an expression of trust,” added Andrew Tabler, a former National Security Council adviser.

JD Vance: The Vice President and MAGA Heir Apparent

JD Vance, Trump’s vice president and former Ohio senator, remains the most obvious successor in the eyes of many within the administration. Vance was selected as Trump’s running mate in 2024 over Rubio and other contenders, and he has since taken on a prominent role in shaping the administration’s domestic and foreign policy.

Vance has also been appointed finance chair of the Republican National Committee, a position that keeps him closely connected to the party’s donor base. His influence extends to key midterm races, including Ohio’s gubernatorial contest, where he is backing Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy.

Despite his elevated status, Vance has downplayed any rivalry with Rubio. “He is probably my best friend in the administration,” Vance said in a recent interview. “We hang out and talk all the time.” When asked about a potential 2028 run, Vance responded, “We have to do a good job for the American people and if we do that the politics will take care of themselves.”

A Friendly Rivalry or Future Showdown?

While Trump’s comments have fueled speculation about a future contest between Rubio and Vance, those close to both men insist that any competition would be amicable. “They’ve got a really good personal and professional relationship,” said a person familiar with their dynamic. “If they’re both running, I have no doubt there will be a [conversation] about it beforehand.”

Still, the political calculus is shifting. Early polling shows Vance with a commanding lead among Republican voters. A recent Economist/YouGov survey found that 43% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents favored Vance as their ideal 2028 nominee, compared to 11% for Donald Trump Jr., 8% for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and just 4% for Rubio.

Despite the polling gap, Rubio’s allies are optimistic. “You would still have to give the advantage to Vance because he is the sitting vice president,” one Rubio confidant said. “But everyone in Rubio’s orbit is feeling really good about how things are playing out.” Another longtime Rubio supporter added, “Vance is the guy for now, but as we have seen, for now isn’t forever.”

Trump’s Strategy: Fostering Competition

Trump has long been known for encouraging competition among his allies, and his latest remarks appear to follow that pattern. By elevating both Rubio and Vance, he keeps potential successors loyal while maintaining leverage over the future direction of the Republican Party.

“President Trump sees them as both very loyal and very talented,” a senior Trump adviser told NBC News. “That’s very fair to say.” The adviser added that Trump’s comments were not meant to anoint a successor but to highlight the depth of talent within the GOP.

To the extent that Vance and Rubio were rivals during the 2024 vice presidential selection process, their teams reportedly maintained a mutual respect. Both were seen as more ideologically aligned with Trump than other finalists, such as former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

MAGA Movement’s Future in Focus

As Trump distances himself from the idea of a third term, the question of who will carry the MAGA banner into 2028 looms large. Both Rubio and Vance have embraced Trump’s populist-nationalist agenda, and both have cultivated relationships with key figures on the far right, including Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk.

Rubio’s ability to “speak MAGA” while appealing to more traditional Republicans is seen as a potential asset. “He is a guy who can speak MAGA but can also gather the confidence of your more traditional Republican,” said a longtime ally. Meanwhile, Vance’s deep ties to Trump and his role as vice president give him a structural advantage.

For now, the two men appear to be allies rather than adversaries. But with Trump’s blessing, either could emerge as the standard-bearer for the next generation of Republican leadership.

References

• Trump elevates Marco Rubio as a potential successor — and as a 2028 rival to Vance
• JD Vance reveals his 'best friend' in Trump's cabinet
• Marco’s moment: Rubio in the hot seat amid Trump team shakeup
• One-man Cabinet: Marco Rubio went from rival to Trump's point man, but can he handle it?
• Trump is pushing ‘good friends’ Rubio and Vance as possible successors
• Trump elevates Marco Rubio as a potential successor — and as a 2028 rival to Vance