Trump Mulls Rubio or Vance as 2028 Successor

President polls advisers, donors on potential Republican candidates to lead MAGA movement

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

With the 2028 election more than 2.5 years away, President Trump is already privately surveying his allies about potential Republican successors to lead the MAGA movement, pitting his vice president JD Vance against his secretary of state Marco Rubio as possible contenders.

Why it matters

Trump's focus on the 2028 election so early signals his desire to maintain influence over the Republican party and ensure his populist, nationalist brand of politics continues after his presidency. The competition between Vance and Rubio also highlights the internal divisions within the GOP over the future direction of the party.

The details

According to people familiar with the matter, Trump has been polling advisers, donors and friends about the political strengths and weaknesses of Vance and Rubio, two young, ambitious Republicans. Trump has shown increasing fondness for Rubio, praising him in private and telling associates he believes the former Florida senator is more electable. Trump's second-term focus on foreign policy has also put Rubio, the secretary of state, at the center of the administration's high-profile moves, giving him more visibility.

  • Less than a day after the U.S. began bombing Iran, Trump met with two dozen donors at his Mar-a-Lago club.
  • The 2028 election is more than 2.5 years away.

The players

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, who is already looking ahead to the 2028 election and potential Republican successors to lead the MAGA movement.

JD Vance

The current Vice President of the United States, who is being considered by Trump as a possible 2028 candidate.

Marco Rubio

The current Secretary of State, who is also being considered by Trump as a potential 2028 Republican candidate.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What do you think of JD Vance and Marco Rubio?”

— Donald Trump, President

“The guests applauded louder for Rubio.”

— Unnamed attendee, Mar-a-Lago donor

What’s next

The 2028 election is still more than 2.5 years away, but Trump's early focus on potential Republican successors suggests a continued effort to shape the future of the GOP.

The takeaway

Trump's private polling of allies about Vance and Rubio as 2028 candidates highlights his desire to maintain influence over the Republican party and ensure his populist, nationalist brand of politics continues after his presidency. The competition between the two young, ambitious Republicans also reflects the internal divisions within the GOP over the future direction of the party.