Former President Donald Trump is reportedly expressing private support for JD Vance as his preferred successor for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028, according to multiple reports. While Trump has publicly expressed support for both Vance and Vice President Kamala Harris’s primary rival, Senator Marco Rubio, sources indicate he may have a clear favourite behind closed doors.

In recent public statements, Trump praised both Vance and Rubio, describing them as “very talented” and suggesting they would make a formidable team. Speaking to the New York Post in June, he said he liked them both and joked about how effective they could be if they ran together.

However, The Washington Post reported that during a private meeting with Republican donors in the Oval Office, Trump said “at the end of the day we need to elect JD,” signalling a possible shift toward endorsing Vance as his direct political heir. Despite this, several other sources have cast doubt on whether Trump has definitively made that choice. One source told the newspaper that assuming a clear pick had been made would be premature, given the former president’s history of unpredictability.

Political analysts note that Trump often delays formally backing candidates to avoid appearing weakened or irrelevant, especially as speculation swirls about his potential involvement in the 2028 race. Although Trump has teased the idea of running for a third term—which is barred under the 22nd Amendment—most observers consider this unlikely and interpret his remarks more as political posturing.

Trump’s endorsements have previously played a significant role in Republican primaries, with many of his preferred candidates securing nominations ahead of the recent midterm elections. Nevertheless, some experts caution that his influence may be less potent in high-profile races involving broader electorates. In these contests, association with Trump could potentially hinder candidates, as a segment of Republican voters and independents remain ambivalent or opposed to the former president.

As the 2028 presidential race slowly takes shape, the question of who Trump ultimately supports—and how much sway his endorsement will carry—remains an open and closely watched topic within the GOP.