Washingtin DC: US President Donald Trump has identified Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential Republican contenders for the 2028 presidential election, expressing confidence in his party’s leadership pipeline while questioning the Democrats’ ability to field strong candidates.
In an interview with FOX ahead of a rally in Michigan, Trump was asked who could emerge as a Republican presidential candidate in 2028. While stopping short of endorsing a clear favorite, he suggested that several prominent figures were well positioned to compete for the party’s nomination.
“I could tell you who I think, but it’s a little bit early,” Trump said.
“We have great names — you have JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and many others. We have a great bench; they have no bench,” he added, referring to the Democrats.
Trump’s remarks offer an early indication of the potential succession debate within the Republican Party, although the presidential election remains more than two years away. Vance and Rubio are among the prominent figures in the administration whose political prospects could shape the party’s future after Trump’s second term.
The president also addressed the economic implications of the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly concerns over global energy supplies. Reiterating his opposition to the conflict, Trump said the US would not allow energy security to be undermined by the ongoing war.
“We’re not going to be hostage with the oil industry over something that, frankly, should’ve never started,” he said, maintaining that the conflict should have been avoided.
Meanwhile, the Nov. 3 midterm elections are emerging as a critical test for Trump and the Republican Party, with control of both chambers of Congress at stake. The results will influence the administration’s ability to advance its legislative priorities and determine the balance of power in Washington.
The midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate seats are contested, making the polls a significant measure of public sentiment toward the administration.
The elections come as Trump faces broader political and economic challenges, including concerns over the economy and signs of weakening public support. A September poll by The Wall Street Journal put his approval rating at 37%, marking a low for a president approaching the midterms in the publication’s polling history dating back to 1990.
The outcome of the November vote could therefore have far-reaching implications for Trump’s remaining time in office, while also shaping the Republican Party’s political positioning ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
