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Trump praised his VP, adding, “I also think we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here. So it’s too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly he’s doing a great job. And he would be probably favored at this point.”
Rubio’s name entering the mix came as a surprise to many. Once a fierce Trump rival known for his hawkish foreign policy positions, Rubio has transformed into a key foreign policy player in the administration. Trump’s mention of a potential Vance-Rubio alliance suggests he’s thinking about a broader coalition — one that could unite different factions of the Republican Party heading into a post-Trump era.
As for Bannon, he didn’t let the Daily Mail story hang in the air without a response. National Pulse editor-in-chief Raheem Kassam said he reached out to Bannon directly, and the former Trump adviser offered a short but telling reply: “Trump 2028.”
The comment immediately fueled speculation that Bannon was swatting down the rumor and signaling unwavering loyalty to Trump — even if the Constitution bars a third term. Trump himself has occasionally teased the idea, sometimes jokingly, sometimes not, which keeps political analysts and the media guessing.
Some insiders believe these strategic teases are no accident. By dangling the possibility of another Trump run — however unlikely — the former president keeps the spotlight firmly on himself and delays the all-out Republican scramble that typically comes with an open nomination.
Still, the mere mention of Vance and Rubio in the same breath has already reshaped the early 2028 chatter. Rubio, for his part, has voiced open support for Vance, telling Fox News’ “My View With Lara Trump” in July, “Well, I think JD Vance would be a great nominee. If he decides he wants to do that. I think he’s doing a great job as Vice President. He’s a close friend and I hope he intends to do it.”
Rubio downplayed political speculation given his current role. “It’s kind of early, you know, but being in the role that I’m in here at the Secretary of State, I really don’t play in politics,” he said. “There’s actually rules against me being involved in domestic politics.”
He added, “I want to do this job as long as the president allows me to do it and stay in that job, which would keep me here all the way through January of 2028. You never know what the future holds. You never rule things out or anything.”
Rubio has also made it clear that his personal relationship with Vance is strong, describing him as “one of my closest friends in politics.”
While the 2028 race is still years away, the jockeying — and the speculation — has already begun. Whether it’s Vance, Rubio, Bannon, or another GOP rising star, one thing is certain: Trump’s influence will loom large over whoever steps forward to claim the MAGA torch.
