President Donald Trump is keeping the race to inherit his political movement wide open—for now.
Trump stopped short of endorsing Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028 when reporters confronted him about the Republican Party’s future leadership at Shannon International Airport in Ireland.
Asked whether he was ready to “throw his weight” behind Vance, Trump quickly pumped the brakes.
“It’s too early. I mean, it’s too early. I think he’s terrific. There’s so many terrific people,” Trump responded.
When pressed about who could compete with Vance, the president again praised his vice president while declining to place him above the rest of the potential Republican field.
Trump said the GOP has several strong prospective candidates, adding that Vance is “fantastic” and has performed well as vice president. The exchange was captured in an official White House video recorded before Trump departed Ireland.
Trump Keeps His Options Open
The answer was hardly a rejection of Vance, but it fell short of the coveted endorsement that could give the vice president a significant early advantage in the Republican primary.
Trump’s comments also reinforced a message he has delivered before: He is not prepared to formally crown a successor nearly two years before the next presidential election.
That caution could preserve Trump’s influence over a potentially crowded field while preventing the 2028 contest from distracting Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The president has offered praise to several possible contenders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). When asked about Cruz’s possible presidential ambitions in August, Trump called the senator “very talented” and said he believed Cruz might enter the race, according to the Daily Caller.
Vance Emerges As A Leading Contender
The president’s latest remarks came days after Vance received an enthusiastic reception at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
Vance used his convention appearance to defend the Trump administration’s record, urge unity among conservatives and position himself as a leading voice for the next generation of the MAGA movement. Attendees interviewed by the New York Post described the vice president as prepared to carry Trump’s political agenda forward.
Vance, however, has yet to announce a presidential campaign.
During a June interview with CBS News, he said he and second lady Usha Vance would discuss their future after the 2026 midterms. Vance also said he expected Trump to support whatever decision he ultimately made, although the two had not held a detailed conversation about a prospective campaign.
“I try not to make [decisions] until I absolutely must,” Vance told CBS News.
Mixed Signals From Trump
Trump has sent conflicting signals about whether Vance is already his preferred successor.
The Washington Post previously reported that Trump told donors during a private Oval Office meeting that Republicans would eventually need to elect Vance. The president subsequently disputed that account when questioned by the Daily Caller, saying it remained far too early to settle on a candidate.
Trump has also reportedly asked advisers to compare Vance with Rubio, underscoring that the president continues to weigh the strengths of multiple possible contenders.
Rubio has publicly attempted to cool speculation about a rivalry. During a May interview with NBC News, the secretary of state said he would support Vance if the vice president entered the race.
For the moment, Vance remains prominently positioned—but Trump appears determined to make him wait for the endorsement that could reshape the entire 2028 Republican contest.
