President Donald Trump told Miranda Devine in a podcast aired on Wednesday that a 2028 ticket pairing Vice President JD Vance with Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be extremely difficult for opponents to defeat. "I would think that JD and Marco as a team would be very hard to beat," he said, adding that he watches their interactions closely and sees a strong personal rapport. "It’s interesting, human thing, the human equation. So I watch them together, they get along great," he added.
Both Vance and Rubio are widely regarded as possible contenders for the Republican nomination in 2028. While Trump’s public comments have kept speculation about a Republican succession simmering, both men have publicly downplayed ambitions for a formal run, according to the account of the interview.
In recent weeks, Vance and Rubio have alternated appearances at White House briefings where they defended the administration across a range of topics. Those appearances have included responses to questions about the increasingly unpopular Iran war, and Rubio’s turn at the podium earned plaudits from some Republicans and even a number of Democrats who noted his composed delivery. Reports of his performance highlighted quips and a 1990s hip-hop reference he used to characterize Iran's negotiating stance.
No candidate has officially declared for the November 2028 election, but early maneuvering is under way on both sides of the aisle. The article notes that Democratic contenders are already positioning themselves for a potential run, which observers say points to an open field without a clear standard-bearer to succeed the incumbent Republican president.
The president’s remarks, the exchanges at briefings, and the broader jockeying by potential candidates collectively signal an early phase of succession planning and positioning. For now, however, the only confirmed facts in play are the public comments and the appearances noted above; neither Vance nor Rubio has entered the race, and the timeline toward any official announcements remains undefined.
Key points
- Trump said on a podcast that a Vance-Rubio ticket would be very difficult to beat, citing their strong rapport.
- Both men are viewed as potential 2028 Republican contenders but have downplayed formal campaigns.
- Vance and Rubio have taken turns defending the administration at White House briefings, including on questions about the increasingly unpopular Iran war.
Risks and uncertainties
- Neither Vance nor Rubio has officially entered the 2028 race, leaving the nomination process open and uncertain.
- Public reaction to administration policy areas mentioned in briefings, such as the Iran war, remains a volatile factor with potential political consequences.
- Early positioning by Democratic contenders suggests an unpredictable and contested general election environment.