President Donald Trump privately told Republican donors during an Oval Office meeting that he believes Vice President JD Vance should be the party’s nominee in the 2028 presidential election, according to reporting by The Washington Post and confirmed by multiple sources.
In remarks made roughly two weeks ago, Trump stated, ‘At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,’ according to individuals briefed on the conversation who spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity. The president’s comments were first reported by The Washington Post and later corroborated by Fox News Digital and Feedburner.
Trump has publicly avoided naming a preferred successor in recent weeks, telling reporters on Thursday that it was ‘way too early to even be thinking about’ endorsing Vance or any other candidate for 2028.
Private signals vs. public caution
While Trump’s private remarks to donors suggest a clear preference, his public statements have remained noncommittal. During an Oval Office event on Thursday, Trump was asked whether he was advocating for Vance’s candidacy. He responded, ‘I think he’s great, but we’re way too early to even be thinking about that.’
The reported Oval Office comments to donors came amid ongoing internal discussions within the administration about the 2028 succession. According to The Washington Post, Trump has privately polled advisers, staff, and allies about whether Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio would make a stronger nominee. One White House official told Feedburner that Trump questioned staff about the two men during a Marine One flight late last month.
Vance and Rubio: Contrasting roles in Trump’s orbit
Trump has at times praised both Vance and Rubio for their roles in his administration. In June, he described Rubio as ‘the greatest secretary of state in history,’ while also calling a potential Vance-Rubio ticket ‘very unbeatable.’ He has previously stated that Vance is ‘most likely’ his heir because ‘in all fairness, he’s the vice president.’
Rubio has publicly signaled support for Vance’s potential candidacy. In May, he told NBC News, ‘If JD runs for president, I think he’d be a phenomenal candidate. I’ll be the first person to sign up and support him.’
Timeline and next steps
An adviser to Trump told Feedburner that while the president has privately decided Vance is his preferred successor, it remains ‘too early’ to determine when Vance might announce his candidacy or when Trump will issue a public endorsement. The White House has not responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital, Vance’s office, or the Republican National Committee.
Trump’s reported preference for Vance comes as both men have engaged in high-profile activities outside Washington. Vance and Senator Ted Cruz are scheduled to travel to Iowa in the coming months, according to reporting, as potential 2028 contenders begin laying groundwork for the next presidential cycle.
Polling and party dynamics
A June poll cited by Feedburner showed Vance and Vice President Kamala Harris leading within their respective parties among potential 2028 candidates, while Rubio lagged behind. The poll’s findings were not detailed in the available reporting.
Trump’s private remarks to donors mark the most explicit indication to date of his preference for Vance, though he has not yet taken any formal steps to advance that preference publicly.