Trump Quizzes Donors on 2028 GOP Successor as Iran Strikes Unfold
In the early hours of February 28, President Donald Trump and his administration coordinated with Israel to launch a series of strikes on Iran. Later that same night, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump posed a critical question to approximately 25 Republican donors: whom should he support for president in 2028—Secretary of State Marco Rubio or Vice President JD Vance?
Donor Poll Shows Strong Preference for Rubio
According to two anonymous attendees, the response was overwhelmingly in favor of Marco Rubio, with cheering that made it "almost unanimous for Marco." One donor confirmed, "Yeah, that's right. It was clear, at least that night." However, NBC News reported that another person in the room described the reaction as more "evenly split" between Rubio and Vance.
The gathering included notable figures such as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and billionaire Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson. A former Trump administration official cautioned that this does not necessarily make Rubio the new favorite, noting, "The Mar-a-Lago donor crew are not JD people. He did not get picked [to be vice president] because of the Mar-a-Lago crowd. If you remember, that crowd was lobbying the president to pick Marco." The official added that such polls might be "a bit gamed," suggesting Vance could still lead by a significant margin in broader surveys.
Trump's Kingmaker Role in GOP Future
This was not the first time Trump has sought input on the post-2024 political landscape, indicating his intent to play a major role in shaping the Republican Party's future. He appeared to relish his potential as a kingmaker in a race that could pit top administration members against each other, highlighting the fluid dynamics within his circle.
White House spokesman Steven Cheung stated, "The President has assembled an all-star team that has achieved unprecedented success in just over one year. No amount of crazed media speculation about Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio will deter this Administration's mission of fighting for the American people."
Polling and Trump's Past Comments on Vance and Rubio
For months, Vance has been viewed as the front-runner for the 2028 GOP nomination, supported by most public polling and Trump's own remarks. An NBC News poll released last week found 77% of Republican voters had a positive view of Vance, compared to 66% for Rubio.
In August, Trump told Fox News that Vance was "most likely" the heir to the MAGA movement and "probably favored at this point," while also mentioning Rubio as a potential collaborator. In a May interview with NBC News, Trump praised Rubio as a "great" potential GOP leader. Last month, he commented on their differences, saying, "I would say one is slightly more diplomatic than the other," an apparent reference to Rubio's role as secretary of state, and added, "I think they're both of very high intelligence."
Recent Shifts in Visibility and Roles
In recent weeks, Trump has increasingly praised Rubio, whose foreign policy duties placed him at the forefront as the administration focused on conflicts in Venezuela, Iran, and potentially Cuba. At a White House ceremony for Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami CF, Trump highlighted Rubio twice, saying, "I'm telling you, he's going to go down as the best secretary of state in the country's history, Marco Rubio." He joked, "I don't want him to get too popular. You know, when they get too popular, all of a sudden you see, 'Where's Marco. He's not around anymore.'"
While Rubio's profile rose due to his foreign policy portfolio, Vance receded into the background. During the Iran strikes, Rubio was present in the Mar-a-Lago war room, whereas Vance remained in Washington, seen in the Situation Room. A spokesperson explained that Vance was not at Mar-a-Lago due to security protocols "to maintain operational secrecy" and "to limit the president and vice president co-locating away from the White House."
Vance, an Iraq War veteran who has historically opposed U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, was the first to defend the war on national TV and joined Trump at Dover Air Force Base for the return of fallen service members. However, since March 2, his public role in war messaging diminished, and his social media presence quieted. Vance spokesperson Taylor Van Kirk stated, "The entire national security team, including the Vice President, have been constantly engaged in active deliberations surrounding the operations in Iran."
Sources indicate that Vance, while hawkish on Iran's nuclear capabilities, expressed reservations about attacking the country, putting him in a position that conflicted with his personal views.
Conclusion: Trump's Unclear Endorsement for 2028
Trump has not officially endorsed any candidate for 2028, but his past speeches reflect admiration for both Rubio and Vance, with a desire for either to lead the GOP. The Mar-a-Lago poll underscores his active interest in the party's future, even as the dynamics between the two potential successors continue to evolve amid global events like the Iran strikes.
