JD Vance Or Marco Rubio As Trump’s Successor? US President Asking Advisers About 2028 Polls

Last Updated:February 23, 2026, 13:56 IST

According to a report by Axios, Trump continues to favour Vance, whom he chose as his running mate and previously described as “most likely” his heir apparent.

US President Donald Trump has begun informally asking advisers and confidants who should lead the Republican ticket in 2028 – Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio – according to a report by Axios.

As per the report, the conversations, described as casual, come as Trump increasingly focuses on his legacy ahead of his final midterm elections. Trump reportedly believes there are no better standard-bearers for it than JD Vance and Marco Rubio.

Vance Favoured, Rubio Gaining Visibility

According to the report, Trump continues to favour Vance, whom he chose as his running mate and previously described as “most likely" his heir apparent.

“In all fairness, he’s the vice president," Trump said last year when asked if Vance was the future leader of the Make America Great Again movement.

However, Rubio’s profile has grown significantly through his roles as secretary of state and national security adviser. Sources told the news outlet that Trump has increasingly praised Rubio’s performance in public and private settings.

One Trump adviser told Axios that ‘Vance-Rubio is the president’s dream ticket’ for 2028, ‘and to be clear, that’s Vance on top.’ He further said that Trump would also be “absolutely" comfortable with a Rubio-Vance combination.

All five sources cited by Axios cautioned that Trump’s musings should not be seen as a sign of dissatisfaction with Vance. Instead, they reflect his tendency to float ideas, encourage internal competition and gauge reactions from those around him.

Balancing Succession and Midterms

Advisers reportedly believe Trump is unlikely to formally anoint a successor before the midterm elections, as doing so could distract from the party’s electoral focus and signal a premature transfer of influence.

Last year, Trump publicly suggested that Rubio and Vance could “get together" on a future Republican ballot. At an event in Munich, he jokingly told Rubio that if he continued outperforming him publicly, “you’re outta here." At the same event, Trump described Vance as a “pugilist" and Rubio as a diplomat who operates with a “velvet glove."

Behind the scenes, Trump reportedly enjoys weighing personalities against one another and gauging reactions from those around him.

No Visible Rift

Despite growing speculation, both camps have sought to downplay talk of rivalry.

In an interview with Vanity Fair last year, Rubio said that if Vance runs, “he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him." According to Axios, Rubio has reiterated that position privately.

Vance, speaking this week to Fox News, described Rubio as his “closest friend in the administration" and dismissed suggestions of tension.

While no formal succession plan has been announced, Trump’s remarks indicate that the 2028 Republican field is already taking shape behind the scenes — even as party leaders focus publicly on the upcoming midterm contests.

News world JD Vance Or Marco Rubio As Trump’s Successor? US President Asking Advisers About 2028 Polls

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