President Donald Trump has refrained from confirming whether Vice President JD Vance will be his preferred candidate for the Republican nomination in 2028. In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump was asked if he saw Vance as the future of the party. Trump replied, “Not yet, but he’s very capable. There are many capable people, and so far, he’s doing a great job. It’s too early. We’re just getting started.”
At 78, Trump also used the opportunity to highlight the strong start of his administration. “A lot of people have said this has been the best start—almost three weeks—of any presidency in history,” he commented.
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Vance’s First International Trip as Vice President
Trump’s remarks came just hours after Vance, 40, embarked on his first overseas trip as vice president. He is attending an artificial intelligence summit in Paris, followed by the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Vance, the youngest vice president in modern U.S. history, previously served as an Ohio senator and was selected as Trump’s running mate in July 2024 with significant support from Trump Jr.
Vance Emerges as a Potential 2028 Contender
Although Vance has not officially announced his candidacy for 2028, he is widely regarded as a frontrunner for the Republican nomination. When questioned about his future plans, Vance simply said, “We’ll see what happens come 2028.”
A recent poll among GOP voters indicated that if the primary were held today, Vance would be the leading choice. Trump Jr., 47, also emerged as a possible contender for the nomination.
Trump Continues to Tease Third Term Possibility
Despite being constitutionally limited to two terms, Trump has continued to play with the idea of serving a third term. In April, he told Time Magazine he would retire after his second term because “I don’t really have a choice” and expressed opposition to changing the 22nd Amendment. However, during the National Prayer Breakfast last month, Trump hinted once again at the possibility, saying, “They say I can’t run again; that’s the expression. Then somebody said, I don’t think you can. Oh.”
Vance’s Political Ascendancy
Before stepping into the political arena, Vance worked as a venture capitalist, lawyer, and author. His 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, which explored his Ohio upbringing, was later adapted into a 2020 film directed by Ron Howard.
Vance was elected to the Senate in 2022, where he served for two years before joining Trump’s second-term ticket. His political views align closely with Trump’s populist approach, making him a natural successor in the eyes of many Republican voters.