Trump pitches Vance to donors as next presidential candidate in private meeting - report

Donald Trump has privately signaled to donors his desire for Vice President JD Vance to be the Republican Party's nominee in the 2028 presidential election. According to anonymous sources cited by The Washington Post, Trump stated during a meeting in the Oval Office, "At the end of the day, we need to elect JD."

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At the end of the day, we need to elect JD.

A presidential advisor suggested that Trump has privately resolved that Vance will be the next GOP candidate, but cautioned that it is "too early" to predict an announcement timeline. However, other advisors warned that Trump's endorsements can be fluid, and he often tells different individuals varying information. "Anyone assuming it’s a lock is just getting way ahead of themselves, or just doesn’t know the president very well," one official commented.

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Anyone assuming it’s a lock is just getting way ahead of themselves, or just doesn’t know the president very well.

While Vance is seen as a strong contender, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is considered his main opponent for the 2028 election. Rubio reportedly enjoys overwhelming support within American Jewish conservative circles, with one activist claiming the preference is "99 to 1" or even "100 to 0." Trump himself has previously suggested a potential Vance-Rubio ticket, without specifying a preference for who should lead it.

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I can certainly tell you with confidence that in the American Jewish conservative circles, it’s Marco Rubio by a margin of 99 to 1.