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In sharp contrast, two members of Trump’s inner circle are stepping into the spotlight with strength and momentum: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
President Trump himself gave the strongest indication yet that these two men are at the top of his succession list. Speaking to NBC News on May 4, Trump stated:
“JD’s doing a fantastic job. I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. A lot of Republicans are great. We have a lot of good people in this party. But certainly, if the VP is outstanding, I think that person would have an advantage.”
It’s no coincidence that Trump named only Vance and Rubio in that response. These two are not just respected within MAGA circles — they are trusted. They have proven their loyalty, competence, and vision in key positions within the Trump administration.
Rubio, once a rival to Trump in the 2016 primary, has been fully embraced by the movement. The Gateway Pundit recently reported that Rubio is now serving in an unprecedented number of high-level roles: Secretary of State, USAID Administrator, Acting National Security Advisor, and even Acting US Archivist. It’s a power portfolio that reflects Trump’s deep trust in Rubio’s capabilities.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has rapidly become the face of the future. With his populist, America First message and unshakable support for President Trump, Vance has captured the imagination of the conservative grassroots.
On May 18, both Vance and Rubio represented the United States at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration in Vatican City, where they held a private audience with the pope — a rare and powerful diplomatic moment that many saw as a signal of their international stature.
Just days later, prominent conservative voices began speculating about what could be the most formidable Republican ticket in modern history: Vance-Rubio 2028.
During a May 20 broadcast, D.C. radio host Larry O’Connor said:
“I think, obviously, Vance has the inside track. It would be a disaster for Vance and Rubio to run against each other. So, my hunch is that Rubio is angling for Vice President, and the Vance Rubio ticket would be unstoppable.”
Political commentator Mark Halperin echoed that view, saying:
“I think there is a possibility we have an unprecedented situation – where not only is Vance the frontrunner for president, wire-to-wire, but Rubio is the frontrunner for vice president, wire-to-wire.”
He added:
“JD Vance and Marco Rubio could end up being a preordained ticket in 2028, unlike anything we have ever seen before. Rubio is one of the stars of this administration. Even if you don’t agree with his policies, his knowledge of policy – his rhetoric, his confidence – is winning over MAGA. Now, he is one of the heroes of the movement.”
The data backs it up. According to Race to the White House, Vance currently leads all prospective 2028 GOP candidates in national polling, holding a commanding 48% of support. Donald Trump Jr. is the only other figure breaking double digits. Rubio trails behind at 5.3%, but as a VP candidate, his trajectory is undeniable.
As Trump’s second term barrels forward, it’s clearer than ever: the future of the MAGA movement is strong, organized, and ready for battle in 2028. Vance and Rubio aren’t just carrying the torch — they’re setting the stage for a new era of America First leadership.
