In the wake of President Trump's landmark victory in the 2016 election, political analysts have been fervently speculating about who might step into his shoes as his successor.
The challenge is formidable, given Trump's role as the architect of a political movement unparalleled since World War II.
The idea that former Vice President Mike Pence could succeed Trump was dismissed as implausible. Pence's approach to conservative politics diverged significantly from Trump's, and his perceived lack of resolve during the 2020 election has left him politically sidelined.
Governor Ron DeSantis, once considered a leading contender to follow Trump, saw his political fortunes wane after an unsuccessful bid against Trump in the 2024 Republican Primary. DeSantis finished third, trailing behind Nikki Haley, leaving his political future uncertain.
In contrast, two prominent figures have emerged within the MAGA movement, suggesting a more defined succession plan for Trump. On May 4, President Trump identified Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors, telling NBC News, "JDs doing a fantastic job. I think hes 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."
The Gateway Pundit reported on May 4 that Rubio holds several key roles in the Trump Administration, including Acting National Security Advisor, USAID Administrator, and Acting US Archivist.
On May 18, Vance and Rubio represented the U.S. at Pope Leo XIVs inauguration, meeting privately with the Pope, which fueled speculation about a potential Vance-Rubio ticket in 2028.
Prominent conservative radio host Larry OConnor and political commentator Mark Halperin discussed this possibility on May 20. OConnor remarked, "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."
Halperin concurred, highlighting Rubio's rising prominence, "Rubio is one of the stars of this administration. Even if you dont 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."
According to Race to the White House's latest polling, Vance leads the prospective 2028 Republican Primary with 48% support, while Rubio garners 5.3%. Only Vance and Donald Trump Jr. surpass the 10% threshold among preferred candidates.
Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio, as key figures in Trump's cabinet, appear well-positioned to potentially carry forward the Trump legacy in the 2028 presidential race.
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