President Donald Trump has made his clearest endorsement yet for a future Republican presidential candidate, declaring that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” to carry the MAGA torch after his second term ends.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump described Vance as “probably the favorite” to lead the Republican Party into the next election cycle.
“He’s most likely the heir,” Trump said, referring to Vance. “He understands the movement, he understands the people, and he’s doing a phenomenal job as Vice President.”
This is the furthest Trump has gone in positioning a successor to his populist-nationalist agenda, formally known as the Make America Great Again movement.
Rubio: VP Vance Would Be a “Great Nominee”
Trump also praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling him “somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form,” suggesting Rubio could play a key role in a future Vance-led administration or campaign.
Rubio, for his part, echoed Trump’s praise of Vance during a recent interview with Lara Trump on Fox News.
“I think he’s doing a great job as Vice President. He’s a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it,” Rubio said of Vance.
Although recent polling has shown Rubio with some early support among Republican voters for a potential 2028 run, conventional political wisdom indicates he wouldn’t start publicly signaling interest in running for president until much closer to the election.
“You never know what the future holds,” Rubio said. “But if I’m able to finish this term strong and we accomplish what we’ve set out to do, I’ll be satisfied with that as the apex of my public service career.”
Still, Rubio did not rule out a future run, leaving the door open for a possible challenge or alignment with a Vance ticket.
DeSantis on the Sidelines
Noticeably absent from the conversation was Governor Ron DeSantis, once seen as a natural successor to Trump’s political movement. Despite building a national profile and gaining traction in earlier cycles, Trump’s latest comments suggest DeSantis’s national ambitions may be deferred.
DeSantis has not commented on Trump’s endorsement of Vance, and there have been no signs of reconciliation between the two since the heated 2024 GOP primary battle that Trump won decisively.
After Trump tapped Marco Rubio to serve as Secretary of State, many within the GOP expected Florida’s open Senate seat to go to Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and a rising star within the Republican Party. However, DeSantis declined to appoint her, widely viewed as a political snub. Months later, President Trump publicly endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for governor of Florida—despite growing rumors that First Lady Casey DeSantis was quietly laying the groundwork for her own gubernatorial bid.
JD Vance: Rising Star with Trump’s Blessing
Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy and a former venture capitalist turned U.S. Senator from Ohio, has quickly risen through the ranks. Since joining Trump’s 2024 ticket, he has been a key spokesperson for the administration, often on issues like immigration enforcement, trade reform, and a restrained foreign policy.
With Trump now openly calling Vance the future of the movement, the groundwork appears to be laid for a smooth transition of MAGA leadership — one that could shape the GOP’s identity for years beyond Trump’s final term.
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