Trump Says JD Vance Is “Most Likely” MAGA Heir, Hints at Future Ticket with Rubio

President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” the heir apparent to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement—marking his strongest public endorsement yet for Vance as a future presidential candidate.

“Well, I think most likely,” Trump told reporters when asked if Vance was MAGA’s successor. “In all fairness, he’s the vice president.”

Trump didn’t stop there—he also floated the idea of a potential future GOP ticket pairing Vance with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form,” he added. “I also think we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here.”

Joining Trump at the event were high-profile administration figures including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi—both seen as possible future presidential contenders in their own right.

“It’s too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly he’s doing a great job, and he would be probably favorite at this point,” Trump said of Vance.

Rubio, who competed for the vice presidential slot, has since developed a close relationship with Vance. While he has dismissed talk of a 2028 run, Rubio recently told Fox News’ Lara Trump that Vance “would be a great nominee” and “he’s a close friend.”

Vance, a former U.S. senator from Ohio and Marine Corps veteran, has played a prominent role in Trump’s second term, particularly in foreign policy. Rubio, meanwhile, has amassed considerable influence as the only official since Henry Kissinger to serve as both Secretary of State and National Security Adviser.

Though Trump had previously resisted naming any clear successor, his latest comments put Vance firmly at the front of the pack—at least for now—as speculation about the 2028 race quietly builds behind the scenes.

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