President Donald Trump has reportedly told donors in closed-door settings that he wants Vice President J.D. Vance to succeed him in the White House.
The Washington Post exclusively reporting the president made the comment during a private Oval Office meeting about two weeks ago. According to two people familiar with the conversation, Trump told the group, “at the end of the day, we need to elect J.D.”
The Report
As reported on Friday’s AM Update, the alleged remark offered the clearest indication yet that the president may eventually throw his support behind Vice President Vance in the 2028 Republican primary.
One adviser with direct knowledge of the conversation told The Post President Trump has privately decided Vance should become the next leader of the Republican Party. That adviser cautioned, however, that it remains too early to know when Vance might enter the race or when the president might publicly endorse him.
President Trump was asked about that rumors in the Oval Office Thursday and said he was aware of the report but did not confirm it. “I heard about it a little while ago. I think he’s great. We’re way too early to be think being that,” he said.
Trump aides reportedly expect the president to withhold any formal endorsement for as long as possible to avoid the appearance that the party is already moving beyond his own presidency.
According to The Post, Trump questioned White House staff about the vice president and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Marine One flight late last month. Axios reported in February that the president had repeatedly been asking advisers and confidants whether they preferred Vance or Rubio at the top of the 2028 ticket. The outlet reported at the time that President Trump favored Vance, while also continuing to praise Rubio and float the possibility the two men could run together.
Vance’s Reasoning
Vice President Vance downplayed the 2028 speculation during a press conference in May when he was asked about remarks Trump had made about a possible Vance-Rubio ticket.
“I’ve answered this question probably in any number of ways. I love Marco. I think he’s a great secretary of state. He’s become a very very dear friend, but I think both of us are very much focused on accomplishing the American people’s business right now,” he said. “If I was the American people, there are few things that I would hate more than a person who’s barely been in one office for a year and a half who’s angling for a job two and a half years down the road. Let’s do a good job now. We are. We just got to keep at it.
People familiar with Vance’s thinking previously told The Post that the he planned to postpone any decision until after the birth of his fourth child who arrived July 19. In a June interview with CBS News, the vice president said he expected to discuss the decision with his wife after the midterm election.
Where Rubio Stands
Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio insisted his attention remains on his current job while speaking with NBC News in May. “I know this is going to sound like the typical – I’m going to be in this job for the next two and a half years… I’m going to finish the job for this president. I’m enjoying it very much. I think we’re going to make a lot of good things happen,” he said.
Rubio also expressed his support for Vance. “J.D. is a very good friend of mine. If J.D. runs for president, I think he’d be a phenomenal candidate. I’ve said publicly and I’ll say it again: I’ll be the first person to sign up and support him. I think J.D. would do great,” he added.
The secretary of state has also been serving as national security adviser, roles The Post noted would make it legally and logistically difficult for him to run for president while remaining in office.
The adviser familiar with President Trump’s donor remarks reportedly said the he still wants to see Rubio to join Vance on a future ticket. Whether Secretary Rubio would agree to serve as Vance’s running mate remains unclear. A spokesperson declined to comment to The Washington Post.
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