Overview
- Two weeks ago, according to reporting that cited donors and advisers, President Trump told a private Oval Office meeting “At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” urging backers to support Vice President JD Vance for 2028.
- Hours after the report surfaced, Trump publicly denied making a formal endorsement and told reporters it was “way too early” to be thinking about endorsing Vance.
- Multiple advisers say Trump has privately signaled a preference for Vance but remains prone to give mixed messages and continued to quiz staff about a Vance-versus-Rubio matchup during a Marine One flight.
- Vance has not declared a 2028 campaign and has said he will discuss his future after the midterms; advisers point to his Iran memorandum talks, a federal-benefits fraud task force role, media visibility, and his RNC fundraising ties as reasons he impressed the president.
- The private push could shift donor and RNC resources toward a Vance bid, but Rubio remains a prominent alternative and party performance in the 2026 midterms is widely expected to shape the timing and competitiveness of the 2028 field.