President Donald Trump has kept Republicans guessing about 2028. Behind closed doors, however, his message was reportedly much more direct.
“At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” Trump told donors during an Oval Office meeting roughly two weeks ago, according to The Washington Post, which cited two people familiar with the private remarks.
It is Trump’s clearest signal yet that Vice President JD Vance may be his preferred successor—and the man he believes can carry the MAGA movement into its next chapter.
But Trump has not made a public endorsement. And he is still keeping Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the conversation.
Trump Is Keeping the Contest Alive
For months, Trump has asked advisers and donors to compare Vance and Rubio, two of the Republican Party’s most prominent potential 2028 contenders.
At a Mar-a-Lago gathering earlier this year, Trump asked roughly two dozen donors what they thought of the two men. Rubio received the louder applause, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Trump reportedly continued asking aides about Vance versus Rubio even after telling the Oval Office donors that “we need to elect JD.” Some people in Trump’s orbit believe the president has settled on Vance. Others caution that Trump could still change his mind.
That uncertainty gives Trump leverage—and keeps every would-be successor competing for his approval.
Vance’s Decision Comes After the Midterms
Vance has not announced a presidential campaign. He told CBS News in June that he and his wife, Usha, would discuss a possible run after the 2026 midterm elections.
He also said he had “no doubt” Trump would support whatever he ultimately decides.
The midterms now look like Vance’s biggest audition. A strong Republican showing could strengthen his claim that he can hold together Trump’s coalition. A poor result could encourage Rubio or other Republicans to enter the race.
Early polling shows why the contest is not over. A July University of New Hampshire poll found Vance leading the hypothetical Republican primary, but Rubio had narrowed the gap significantly. The same survey found that two-thirds of likely Republican primary voters want the party’s next nominee to build on Trump’s presidency.
That is the opening Vance hopes to own.
The Bottom Line
Trump has not crowned a successor. But “we need to elect JD” is more than casual praise. It is a message donors, activists and potential rivals will hear clearly.
Vance remains the favorite. Rubio remains in the wings. And Trump still controls when—and whether—his private preference becomes a public command.
