‘Most likely’: Trump suggests Vice President JD Vance as his heir apparent in 2028

Trump, while responding about his heir apparent in 2028, also suggested that Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio should join forces for a future ticket from the Republican party, probably during the 2028 presidential election.

Though the 2028 US election remains over three years away, the influence Trump holds within the Republican base is significant and any sign that the US president is backing a candidate can have considerable impact on the nominations.

In the past, Trump has declined to offer any endorsement for his successor in 2028. The US president had said in February that Vice President Vance was “very capable”, however, it was too early to name him as the leading candidate for the Republican party.

Vance, a 40-year-old one-time Marine, has been able to maneuver a role in the Trump administration, where he is serving as the Vice President and a key diplomat who has been able to champion and sell Trump’s domestic policy at home and foreign policy abroad.

Trump also named his close aide Secretary Rubio to shake hands with Vance and move ahead for a ticket in 2028 polls. Rubio, who is a former Senator from Florida, has emerged as one of the significant members of the Trump administration who has been tackling the complicated foreign policy dilemmas. Rubio is also the first person since Henry Kissinger who is serving as both secretary of state and national security adviser.