President Donald Trump has not made any endorsements regarding who he wants to succeed him in 2028. There have been many reports of Trump asking donors or friends behind the scenes whether he should back Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio. But when asked about it directly, he has not answered.
That’s exactly what happened this week, when the Washington Post reported that Trump has privately told donors to back Vance, even while “keeping his options open” publicly.
“At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” Trump told donors in a recent Oval Office meeting, as reported by the Post.
“The private remark contrasts with Trump’s rhetoric over the past year, publicly egging on a contest for his favor between Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He has openly mused that the two would make a good joint ticket and has repeatedly declined to specify who he would prefer to see at the top,” the newspaper added.
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Indeed, Trump was asked on Thursday about the Post report, and asked if that should be construed as an endorsement of the vice president. He said no.
“I heard about it a little while ago,” Trump told the reporter. “”No […] I think he’s great, but we’re way too early to even be thinking about that.”
REPORTER: There is a report you told donors that they need to get JD Vance elected in 2028. Is that your endorsement?
TRUMP: No, no. pic.twitter.com/46MXFw2B20
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 6, 2026
According to the US Mirror, this answer is being intrepreted in some quarters as a snub or insult to the vice president.
“It comes after Donald Trump was seen taking questions this week and attention was placed on JD Vance, and what the future may hold for him in politics,” the Mirror said. “However, it seems Trump made his thoughts pretty clear about what he thinks may lie in store for him, and some think he ‘trashed’ him in the process. The situation left many saying the same thing, as it’s fair to say he didn’t hold back or try to cover up his true thoughts about it.”
Photo courtesy of an X screenshot.
