Vice President JD Vance received a significant boost in his potential 2028 presidential ambitions on Thursday after President Donald Trump privately indicated support for Vance over Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his preferred successor. The development follows Vance’s keynote address at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas, where he framed his vision for America around family values and national pride.
Trump, who spoke after Vance at the event, told reporters aboard Air Force One that Vance had performed "very well" in his speech, calling him a "very talented guy" and a "great vice president." While Trump did not formally endorse any candidate, his remarks were interpreted as an implicit signal of preference. A report from Politico cited unnamed sources stating Trump has "scaled back his Vance vs. Marco Rubio polling" and is "privately changing his tone" about Vance, with one source noting, "the president has made up his mind."
Vance’s convention speech draws mixed reactions
Vance’s 42-minute address at the Dallas convention blended personal anecdotes with sharp political rhetoric. He opened by referencing the birth of his newborn son, describing the "American birthright" he hopes to secure for the child, and later criticized Democrats for opposing traditional family structures. His remarks included a confrontational moment with a protester waving a Mexican flag, to which Vance responded, "If you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there."
The speech drew enthusiastic responses from the crowd, which chanted "JD! JD! JD!" and "48! 48!"—a reference to Vance’s potential status as the 48th U.S. president. However, the address also highlighted questions about Vance’s political identity, given his past criticism of Trump, whom he once compared to Adolf Hitler in a 2016 tweet. Trump’s public praise for Vance the following day appeared to quell some intraparty doubts about their relationship.
Rubio rules out 2028 run, shifting GOP dynamics
Marco Rubio’s announcement that he has "no plans at this time" to seek the presidency in 2028 further solidified Vance’s position as the leading contender to inherit Trump’s movement. Rubio, who ran for president in 2016, has been floated as a potential successor but has since deferred to Trump’s vice president. Polling data suggests Vance leads hypothetical 2028 Republican primary fields, with a Harvard CAPS/HarrisX poll showing him at 44% support, compared to Rubio’s 21%.
Vance has indicated he will discuss a potential presidential run with his wife, Usha Vance, after the November midterm elections. The couple welcomed their fourth child in July. Trump has previously stated he would support Vance if he runs, according to Vance’s remarks to CBS News in June.
GOP delegates and polling signal Vance’s rising profile
Delegates at the RNC midterm convention greeted Vance with chants of "48," reflecting growing confidence in his presidential prospects. A separate Emerson College/The Hill poll found Vance trailing potential Democratic opponents in hypothetical general election matchups, though he remains competitive. The same poll showed Rubio performing slightly better than Vance against top Democratic contenders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Vance’s fundraising prowess and alignment with Trump’s nationalist messaging have positioned him as a unifying figure within the party. His book tour and convention speech were cited by sources as factors influencing Trump’s private decision-making. Meanwhile, Rubio’s decision to focus on his current roles as Secretary of State and National Security Adviser has cleared the path for Vance to emerge as the frontrunner.
What comes next
Vance has repeatedly deflected questions about 2028, emphasizing the need to focus on the midterm elections. "We’ve got to take care of business this November," he told the Dallas crowd. "Then we’ll worry about what comes next." Political observers note that Trump’s backing could accelerate Vance’s path to the nomination, though the former president has not yet made a formal endorsement.
The developments underscore a shifting power dynamic within the Republican Party, with Vance positioned to inherit Trump’s movement while navigating questions about his own political evolution.