Vance vs Rubio: Trump has two Republican soldiers ready to reclaim the White House in 2028. Who has edge?

US President Donald Trump has offered an early glimpse into the Republican Party’s political future, naming Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio among the potential contenders for the 2028 presidential election while stopping short of endorsing either.

In an interview with FOX 2’s Roop Raj ahead of a rally in Michigan, Trump said it was too early to identify a frontrunner but argued that the Republican Party had several strong candidates.

Also read: Trump names JD Vance, Marco Rubio among potential 2028 contenders


“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 (Democrats) have no bench,” he added.

Trump has repeatedly fuelled speculation about the two leaders succeeding him, even as both have played down their presidential ambitions. In June, he said Vance and Rubio running together would be difficult to beat, describing their relationship as a potential political advantage.

“I would think that JD and Marco as a team would be very hard to beat,” Trump said in a podcast interview aired on June 3. “It's interesting, human thing, the human equation. So I watch them together, they get along great,” he added.

At a Rose Garden dinner earlier this year, Trump asked guests whether they supported Vance or Rubio. Both questions drew strong applause. He said the two men together would make “a perfect ticket” but cautioned that this did not amount to an endorsement.

The contest to succeed Trump, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, remains open. No candidate has formally entered the race for the 2028 election, but the two Republicans have already drawn attention through their public appearances, campaign activities and performances in the White House briefing room.

Also read: A 'golden age' vs. 'we're working on it': Trump and Vance give different pitches on the economy

Vance: A leading contender with a difficult balancing act

Vance is widely regarded as a leading contender for the Republican nomination. The 42-year-old vice president has drawn support from grassroots activists who see him as a potential successor to Trump agenda.

His appearance at the Republican convention in Dallas in September was viewed as an early test of his prospects for 2028. In a 40-minute speech, Vance emphasised national pride and presented Republicans as the party of common sense, while criticising Democrats on immigration, crime and cultural issues.

Some supporters chanted “48, 48” during his speech, suggesting he could become the country’s 48th president. Vance, however, said Republicans first needed to focus on winning the November midterm elections.

Trump later described Vance as a “very talented guy” and said he had done a good job as vice president, but offered no indication that he would endorse him for 2028.

Vance’s political prospects also face challenges from the administration’s economic and foreign policy record. His close association with Trump requires him to defend the administration while addressing concerns among voters over high prices and the war involving Iran.

A former Marine who has long argued against US involvement in foreign wars, Vance previously opposed a war with Iran. He has since defended the administration’s handling of the conflict, which has contributed to higher fuel prices and become a source of political difficulty for Republicans.

At the Republican convention, he did not explicitly distance himself from the decision to go to war. He has, however, acknowledged the pressure of rising costs on American households.

“I recognize that gas prices are too high right now,” Vance said during a CBS News town hall.

He has also shown some willingness to differ from Trump on specific issues. He declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s elections, saying he would not get involved in the country’s political contest.

His public appearances have offered glimpses of a style distinct from Trump’s. At the White House briefing room, Vance delivered mostly measured answers during nearly an hour of questions, contrasting with the president’s more confrontational approach.

He also rejected suggestions that he was preparing for a presidential campaign.

“I'm not a potential future candidate,” Vance said when a reporter referred to him as one. “I'm a vice president, and I really like my job, and I'm going to try to do as good of a job as I can.”

Rubio: A public favourite

Rubio, the US secretary of state, has also emerged as a potential Republican contender after drawing praise for his handling of questions from reporters at the White House.

During a briefing in May, Rubio defended the administration’s handling of the Iran war and fielded questions on foreign policy. His performance drew favourable reactions from Republicans and some Democrats, who noted his ability to navigate a crowded briefing room with humour and references to popular culture.

At one point, Rubio used a reference to 1990s hip-hop group Cypress Hill to describe Iran’s negotiating position.

“They're insane in the brain,” Rubio said.

He also joked with a reporter, “You can ask me two questions, I’ll give you one answer, and I’ll pick the one I like better.”

The performance prompted Rubio’s aides to turn one of his answers into a campaign-style video. The State Department-produced clip showed him expressing the hope that America would remain a place where “anyone from anywhere can achieve anything”, fuelling speculation about his political ambitions.

However, Rubio’s role as secretary of state has also put him at the forefront of the administration’s foreign policy challenges. His statement that the Iran war was over conflicted with Trump’s subsequent remarks that the conflict would end only if Tehran reached a deal, highlighting differences in the administration’s public messaging.

Unlike Vance, who has taken part in fundraising events and campaign appearances for Republican candidates, Rubio’s recent high-profile appearances have largely involved defending the administration’s policies before the press.

Trump has praised both men and said they work well together, but has not indicated which one he would prefer to lead the party after his presidency.

What the polls say

Polling suggests that neither potential contender has established broad popularity among Americans, even as Vance holds an advantage in the contest for the Republican nomination.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between May 15 and May 18 found that 34% of Americans had a favourable view of Vance, compared with 33% for Rubio.

An earlier Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between April 24 and April 27 had put Vance’s favourable rating at 35%, against 33% for Rubio.

Separate polling averages point to a different picture within the Republican field. According to Bloomberg, citing the RealClearPolling average, Vance had about 39% support among potential Republican contenders, well ahead of Rubio. Prediction markets also favoured the vice president.

However, Vance’s standing among potential Republican voters contrasts with his broader public approval. About half of Americans viewed him unfavourably, according to RealClearPolling, posing a potential challenge if he seeks to appeal beyond Trump’s core supporters.

The administration’s economic record and its handling of the Iran war could also shape the political environment for both men. Rising fuel prices and concerns over the cost of living have weighed on Trump’s approval ratings, creating a difficult backdrop for Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

A Wall Street Journal report in September said Trump’s approval rating had fallen to 37% in its polling, a low for a president heading into midterm elections in the publication’s polling history dating back to 1990.

The midterm elections will determine control of the House of Representatives and part of the Senate, with implications for Trump’s legislative agenda and the balance of power in Washington during the final two years of his term.

For Vance and Rubio, the contest is therefore not simply about positioning themselves for 2028. Their ability to defend the administration, campaign for Republican candidates and maintain their standing with voters could influence how the party assesses its next presidential nominee.