President Trump on Thursday disputed a report that he privately told donors to support Vice President J.D. Vance for the 2028 presidential election.
During a press briefing after signing several executive orders, Mr. Trump said he had “heard about it a little while ago,” but denied pushing Mr. Vance.
“No … I think he’s great, but we’re way too early to even be thinking about that,” when asked about the story first reported by The Washington Post.
According to the Post, citing two unnamed sources with knowledge about the remarks, Mr. Trump said at a recent meeting with donors about two weeks ago that “at the end of the day, we need to elect J.D.”
Mr. Trump has been publicly inciting over the past year a contest for his support between Mr. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He has candidly pondered that both men would make a great team as if they were on the same ticket but has never clarified who he would prefer to see at the top of the ticket.
Mr. Vance has not confirmed his 2028 plans and told CBS in June he would discuss the matter with his wife following the midterms but said he had “no doubt that the president of the United States is going to be very supportive” of whatever decision he makes.
The vice president has often said that he is concentrating on his current job and that he is good friends with Mr. Rubio.
However, that has not stopped donors and activists from speculating about what a 2028 primary could possibly look like with both men competing to carry the GOP mantle following Mr. Trump’s term.
For his part, while Mr. Rubio has expressed interest in a 2028 run, he has repeatedly said he would not oppose Mr. Vance and that the vice president would be the party’s nominee if he did run.
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