WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has said it is too soon to decide if Vice President JD Vance will be his chosen successor for the 2028 presidential election.
In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier before the Super Bowl, Trump, 78, was asked, “Do you see Vice President JD Vance as your successor and the Republican nominee in 2028?”
Trump responded, “No, but he’s very capable.” He added, “There are a lot of very capable people. So far, I think he’s doing a fantastic job. But it’s too early. We’re just getting started.”
Baier then mentioned that by the time the midterm elections come around, Vance might be looking for Trump’s endorsement. However, Trump shifted the conversation, saying, “A lot of people have said this has been the greatest start—almost three weeks—of any presidency.”
The interview clip aired Monday, just hours after Vance, 40, arrived in France with his family for his first official foreign trip as vice president. He will be attending an artificial intelligence summit in Paris and then heading to Germany for the Munich Security Conference.
Some speculate that Trump avoided endorsing Vance to avoid drawing attention to the fact that he will have to leave office in January 2029 when his second term ends.
Trump has often joked about changing the Constitution so he could serve a third term. Many believe he says this to maintain his political influence and avoid being seen as a “lame duck” president, which could weaken his power.
JD Vance is one of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history. Trump picked him as his running mate in July 2024, influenced by Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. Vance, a former Ohio senator, is known for sharing many of Trump’s populist views. Before politics, he worked as a venture capitalist and lawyer. He is also the author of the best-selling book Hillbilly Elegy, which was turned into a movie in 2020.
Historically, presidents have not always supported their vice presidents’ presidential runs. For example, President Barack Obama reportedly discouraged Joe Biden from running in 2016, which allowed Hillary Clinton to become the Democratic nominee. However, Biden later ran in 2020 and won against Trump, succeeding where Clinton had failed.
It remains to be seen if Trump will eventually support Vance in 2028 or if another Republican candidate will rise to the top.
