Trump elevates Marco Rubio and JD Vance as potential successors in 2028

As Marco Rubio ascends in Trump’s administration, those close to him and JD Vance downplay any talk of a clash between the two men.

As President Donald Trump tiptoed away this week from the idea that he might try to win a third term, he opened the door to a fresh round of intrigue: Whom does he see as his successor?

In practically the same breath in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Trump suggested national security adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance — in that order — as potential candidates.

“You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, who’s fantastic,” Trump replied when Kristen Welker asked him what gives him confidence that his MAGA movement will continue once he’s out of office. “You look at — I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here.”

That he mentioned Rubio at all struck a senior White House aide as notable, given that it was the first time Trump had so publicly identified him as a favorable prospect. And the development, while not exactly surprising to anyone aware of Rubio’s long-held White House ambitions, quickly injected the elements of competition and rivalry that Trump has long enjoyed fostering among those who work for him.

Expectations of such a clash are premature and overblown, those close to both Rubio and Vance told NBC News. They are ideological allies and have become good friends.