TRUMP REFUSES TO PICK SIDES AS VANCE, RUBIO LOOM IN 2028 GOP RACE

President Donald Trump has declined to back either Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his preferred successor ahead of the 2028 Republican presidential race, saying it is too early to weigh in on the contest.

Speaking in an interview with NBC News on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged growing speculation around both men but stressed that he does not want to spark rivalry within his administration.

“We have three years to go. I don’t want to get into that now,” Trump said, noting that both Vance and Rubio are performing strongly in their current roles.

“JD is fantastic, and Marco is fantastic.”Vance, a former Republican senator from Ohio, has indicated that he plans to discuss a possible presidential run with Trump after the November midterm elections.

Rubio, who previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but lost to Trump, has also not ruled out a 2028 bid, although he has publicly praised Vance as a capable contender.

Trump suggested the two could even run together on the same ticket, describing them as highly intelligent and effective leaders with different styles.

In what appeared to be a subtle reference to Rubio’s role as America’s top diplomat, Trump remarked that one of them was “slightly more diplomatic than the other.”

“I think there’s a difference in style, but they’re both very capable,” he said, adding that a joint Vance–Rubio ticket would be difficult to defeat.

The 2028 election is expected to be highly competitive, with open races anticipated on both the Republican and Democratic sides.

During the interview, Trump also briefly revisited speculation about a possible third term despite constitutional limits.

When asked whether he could still be president when the next administration begins in January 2029, Trump replied: “I don’t know. It would be interesting.”