Trump reportedly doubts JD Vance's viability as his successor

Donald Trump has privately expressed doubts about Vice President JD Vance's potential to succeed him, The New York Times reported Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Trump has reportedly been soliciting opinions on both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

During a private poll at an early May event, Trump questioned guests about who would be a more suitable presidential candidate. However, the newspaper indicated Trump has shown no clear endorsement for either Vance or Rubio. When privately assessing Vance and Rubio, Trump frequently contrasted Vance's performance with his own achievements.

Trump has repeatedly told supporters that Vance has never won a competitive election without his assistance. He also pointed to the amount of time Vance took off during his vice presidency, contrasting it with his own minimal vacation time. The New York Times report also highlighted instances where Vance allegedly acted inappropriately for his position.

According to the report, Trump recalled an incident last spring when Vance dropped an Ohio state football championship trophy on the White House's South Lawn. In various meetings, Vance has also reportedly been seen shielding his phone screen and engaging in social media debates with critics. While Trump is active on Truth Social, he reportedly does not spend time responding to other users on social media. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles recently advised Vance to take a break from social media, deeming such debates unsuitable for his office, according to sources cited by the NYT.