Rubio Has Said He Wouldn’t Challenge Vance In 2028. So Why Does Trump Keep Pushing Both Men?

Vice President JD Vance has agelong been considered a front-runner for nan Republican information successful 2028 — but nan president has reportedly started pitting him against Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

President Donald Trump has privately asked advisers and donors what they deliberation astir Vance and Rubio arsenic nan 2028 statesmanlike predetermination approaches, nan Wall Street Journal reports. At a caller event, Trump moreover asked a room of donors astir nan 2 men, and nan applause for Rubio was louder, immoderate attendees told nan outlet.

Rubio, who ran against Trump successful 2016, has said successful nationalist – and, reportedly, successful backstage – that he would not want to situation Vance successful 2028.

“If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to beryllium our nominee, and I’ll beryllium 1 of nan first group to support him,” Rubio said successful a Vanity Fair question and reply published precocious past year.

Still, Trump is said to judge that Rubio could beryllium electable. A personification who has spoken to Trump besides told nan Journal nan president has not criticized Vance and has not suggested he’s unelectable.

Meanwhile, Trump considers comparing Vance and Rubio to beryllium a game, and doesn’t position it arsenic picking a successor yet, sources acquainted pinch nan taxable told nan paper. He’s besides reportedly expressed a desire for Vance and Rubio to tally connected nan aforesaid ticket.

Trump’s narration pinch Rubio, a erstwhile Florida senator, has undergone melodramatic changes successful nan past decade. The brace started arsenic fierce rivals successful nan 2016 Republican primary, during which Trump infamously dubbed Rubio “Little Marco.”

But erstwhile Rubio dropped retired of nan title and Trump secured nan nomination, their narration began to shift. Now, he’s a trusted personnel of Trump’s cabinet, and nan president has started seeking his proposal connected a wide scope of issues, nan Journal reports.

Rubio and Vance person besides publically praised each different complete nan past year. Rubio said past summertime nan vice president would make a “great nominee” if he decides to run, and that he’s doing a “great job” successful his existent role.

“He’s a adjacent friend, and I dream he intends to do it. I cognize it’s benignant of early. But being successful nan domiciled that I’m successful present arsenic nan caput of state, I really don’t play successful politics,” Rubio told Fox News’ Lara Trump successful July 2025.

“There’s really rules against maine being progressive successful home politics, and I want to do this occupation arsenic agelong arsenic nan president allows maine to do it and enactment successful that job, which would support maine present each nan measurement done January of 2028,” he added.

Vance called Rubio his “closest friend successful nan administration” during an interview pinch Fox News big Martha MacCallum past month.

“I deliberation he's doing a awesome occupation for nan American people, but astir importantly, we each person to proceed doing a bully occupation for nan American people, from nan president connected down, and that's what we're focused on,” Vance said. “I deliberation it's truthful absorbing nan media wants to create this conflict wherever location conscionable isn't immoderate conflict.”

Susie Wiles, nan White House main of staff, besides called speculation astir nan men divisive, and said they’re performing arsenic good successful their roles, according to nan Journal.

The Independent has contacted Vance’s agency and nan White House for comment. The State Department did not supply comment.