Vice President JD Vance confirmed in a recent national television interview that President Donald Trump regularly initiates conversations about the 2028 presidential election, often probing potential successors. Vance, appearing on "CBS Sunday Morning" to promote his new memoir, stated his full confidence that President Trump would support any decision he ultimately makes regarding his political future.
"I have no doubt that the president of the United States is going to be very supportive of anything that I ultimately decide to do." — JD Vance, Vice President
The discussion unfolded as Vance addressed the open secret in Washington regarding the early focus on the 2028 succession plans within the Republican Party. "I never bring it up. But sure, the president brings it up a lot of stuff, sometimes publicly, sometimes privately," Vance told CBS. He characterized President Trump as a "political animal" who is "fascinated" by political strategy, even at this early stage in the current administration. Vance noted that President Trump's inquiries are not "coy" or overtly positive or negative, but rather a genuine exploration of "what's going to happen?"
For months, Vice President Vance has consistently deflected questions about a potential 2028 presidential bid, reiterating that any decision would not be made until after the upcoming midterm elections. However, President Trump's public actions have made maintaining this posture increasingly challenging. Last month, President Trump notably turned a public event into an impromptu political straw poll, openly asking attendees about their preferences for his potential successors. "Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?" President Trump called out to the crowd, following up with, "All right. Sounds like a good ticket," after gauging their response. This public moment highlighted the unusual dynamic within the Republican Party, where the sitting president actively discusses his legacy and future succession while potential candidates remain officially uncommitted.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also frequently mentioned as a potential 2028 contender, has publicly stated he would not seek the Republican nomination if Vice President Vance enters the race. Despite President Trump not yet throwing his weight behind either man, Vice President Vance expressed certainty regarding the President's eventual backing. "I have no doubt that the president of the United States is going to be very supportive of anything that I ultimately decide to do," Vance affirmed, though he added, "But we really just haven't talked about what that thing will be."
Vance reiterated his established timeline for making such a significant decision, emphasizing that his family's considerations would take precedence over political pressures. "Usha and I will absolutely sit down and talk about what comes next for our family," he said, explaining his personal philosophy: "The way I make decisions is, I try not to make them until I absolutely must."
The "CBS Sunday Morning" appearance also served as a platform for Vance to promote his second memoir, "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith," which is scheduled for release on Tuesday. The book delves into his personal journey back to religious belief. During the interview, second lady Usha Vance spoke about a deeply private chapter of their lives, revealing that the murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk became an unexpected catalyst for their decision to have a fourth child. She described how the tragedy prompted a profound conversation within their family about priorities and what truly mattered. "I think it really heightened JD’s sense that he’d been talking about this for a while, this sense that there was this possibility of having another kid whom he could love as much as the three that we had," Usha Vance stated. She explained that the gravity of that moment brought clarity to their decision. "And it really did crystallize for [him], that sense that if you could have that other child, then you would have nothing to regret," she concluded.
The full "Sunday Morning" interview with national correspondent @costareports covered Vance's family life, his conversion to Catholicism, his new book, and included his defense of the Trump administration's war with Iran.
