Trump's Support Sparks 2028 Speculation for Vance and Rubio
WHO:
IJR - President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Fox News - Trump, Vance, Rubio, and unnamed GOP donors
WHAT:
Fox News - Trump stated, "It’s way too early" to announce an endorsement for the 2028 presidential race.
Fox News - Trump denied reports suggesting he is urging donors to support Vice President JD Vance.
IJR - Trump indicated a preference for either Vance or Rubio to carry the Republican banner in 2028.
Fox News - Trump told donors, "At the end of the day, we need to elect JD," referring to Vance.
Fox News - Trump praised Vance for leading "the war on fraud" and called Rubio "the greatest secretary of state in history."
Fox News - Vance is the RNC's finance chair, with over $128 million cash on hand as of June.
WHERE:
IJR - Oval Office, Washington D.C.
Fox News - Las Vegas, Nevada
WHEN:
Fox News - Trump made his remarks during an Oval Office meeting roughly two weeks ago.
Fox News - The child of Vice President Vance was born on July 19.
Fox News - Trump joked about running for president for a fourth time at the White House Correspondents Dinner last month.
WHY:
Fox News - Trump is maintaining suspense around major political decisions and is reluctant to endorse a successor too early.
HOW:
Fox News - Trump has been privately discussing potential successors with donors and advisers during meetings and flights, but he has not made a formal endorsement.
Fox News - Trump has been privately discussing potential successors with donors and advisers during meetings and flights.
(UPDATED August 7, 2026 12:40 UTC)
Trump has indicated that it's "way too early" to announce an endorsement for the 2028 presidential race, despite ongoing discussions with donors and advisers about potential successors. He also denied reports that he is urging donors to support Vice President JD Vance. While Trump has been privately exploring options during meetings and flights, he has yet to make any formal endorsement.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 01:02 UTC)
President Trump recently expressed his preference for either Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead the Republican ticket in 2028 during an Oval Office meeting. He praised Vance for his leadership in "the war on fraud" and called Rubio "the greatest secretary of state in history," while also emphasizing to donors the importance of electing Vance. Trump is keeping his options open regarding major political decisions, having been privately discussing potential successors with donors and advisers.