---
title: "Trump suggests Vance is his likely heir apparent in 2028"
description: "WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent to serve as the Republican nominee in 2028, the furthest he has gone in backing Vance as a future presidential candidate."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-06-trump-suggests-vance-is-his-likely-heir-apparent-in-2028/"
published: "2025-08-06T04:32:56"
updated: "2025-08-06T04:32:58"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 207
---

# Trump suggests Vance is his likely heir apparent in 2028

> WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent to serve as the Republican nominee in 2028, the furthest he has gone in backing Vance as a future presidential candidate.

By Reuters · Published 6 August 2025, 06:32 SAST · Updated 6 August 2025, 06:32 SAST

## Key points
- In a classic Trumpian twist, the former president hints at a future Republican dream team of J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio, proving that while the 2028 race is still in the distant rearview mirror, the GOP's game of musical chairs is already in full swing.
- Trump hints at a potential 2028 Republican ticket featuring Vance and Rubio, calling Vance a likely heir to his movement.
- Despite considerable influence, Trump remains non-committal about endorsing a successor, labeling Vance as "very capable."
- Vance, a former Marine, has played a pivotal role in promoting Trump's policies both domestically and internationally.
- Rubio, serving as Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, has become a key player in navigating complex foreign policy issues.

## Content

By Jeff Mason and Jarrett Renshaw

“Well, I think most likely,” Trump told reporters when asked whether Vance was the heir apparent to the movement he has inspired. “In all fairness, he’s the vice president.”

Trump also proposed that Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio join forces for a future Republican ticket.

While the 2028 race is still years away, Trump holds considerable influence with the Republican base and any sign that he is backing a candidate carries significant implications.

Trump has declined in the past to offer any endorsement for a 2028 successor. He said in February that Vance was “very capable” but that it was too early to name him as the leading candidate.

Vance, a 40-year-old onetime Marine, has carved out a sizable role in the Trump administration, serving as a key diplomat and top surrogate selling Trump's domestic policy at home and foreign policy abroad.

Rubio, a former Florida senator, has emerged as a significant figure in an administration that has spent considerable time tackling thorny foreign policy dilemmas. He is the first person since Henry Kissinger to serve as both secretary of state and national security adviser.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Ross Colvin and Stephen Coates)