President Donald Trump recently told donors in private that he wants Vice President JD Vance to win the 2028 presidential election, signaling that he may ultimately support Vance as his successor even as he continues publicly encouraging speculation about a possible contest between Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with donors roughly two weeks ago, according to two people familiar with the remarks who spoke to The Washington Post.

The private comment contrasts with Trump’s public statements over the past year, in which he has repeatedly discussed Vance and Rubio as possible contenders and suggested that they could form a strong joint ticket. Trump has declined to say which of the two he would prefer at the top of the ticket and recently questioned staff members about both men during a Marine One flight.

One adviser with direct knowledge of Trump’s comments said the president has privately decided that Vance should become the Republican Party’s next leader, but said it remains too early to know when Vance might formally launch a campaign or when Trump would publicly endorse him. Six other Trump advisers and allies cautioned that they are not convinced the president has made a final decision, noting that he sometimes tells different things to different people and could still change his mind.

Trump aides widely expect the president to delay any endorsement to avoid appearing to be a lame duck. Vance has also publicly downplayed discussion of the 2028 race, while Trump has privately praised him for growing into the vice presidency and for his ability to articulate the MAGA movement’s priorities.

Rubio, meanwhile, has avoided discussions about 2028 and has reportedly reduced his media appearances to limit further speculation. He currently serves as both secretary of state and national security adviser, and one Trump adviser said the president would still like to see Rubio join Vance on a future ticket, although it remains unclear whether Rubio would be interested in serving as Vance’s running mate.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)