President Donald Trump has given his strongest endorsement yet on who in the Republican Party may replace him once his second White House term ends.
Speaking Tuesday with reporters, Trump said Vice President JD Vance will “most likely” succeed him, with some possible teamwork from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“I think most likely, in all fairness, he’s the vice president,” Trump said of Vance when asked about him becoming the “heir apparent to MAGA.”
“I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form. I also think that 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.”
Trump’s soft endorsement of Vance comes roughly six months after he declined to give Vance his blessings when directly asked by Fox News. Speaking with Bret Baier in February, Trump called Vance “very capable” but said “it’s too early.”
Rubio had been a top contender for vice president during the 2024 race, right up until the day of Vance’s announced selection. This followed Rubio serving as a close adviser to Trump on foreign relations despite the pair rivaling one another during the 2016 Republican primary.
Trump, during that campaign, disparagingly branded Rubio as “Little Marco,” while Rubio called Trump a “con artist” and “vulgar,” and made fun of his hand size while suggesting he has a small penis.
Vance’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.