Donald Trump suggested that Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio should run together on the Republican ticket for the 2028 [1] presidential election.
This endorsement attempt signals a move by the former president to shape the future of the GOP primary field. By promoting two high-profile members of his administration, Trump aims to influence the party's direction long after his own term.
Speaking during a podcast interview at the White House on June 3, 2026 [2], Trump discussed the potential for the two officials to lead the party. "Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio should split a ticket," Trump said [2].
While some reports suggest Trump has a specific preference for the top of the ticket, other accounts indicate he did not specify which man should be the presidential nominee [2]. The former president has remained ambiguous about the exact order of the pairing, whether it would be a Vance-Rubio or Rubio-Vance ticket [3].
Trump has previously teased the idea of different candidates in public settings. "Who's it going to be? Is it going to be J.D.? Is it going to be somebody else? I don't know," he said [4].
The comments come as the Republican Party begins to look toward the 2028 [1] cycle. By linking Vance and Rubio, Trump aligns two of his most prominent allies in a strategic partnership intended to maintain his political legacy within the GOP.
“"Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio should split a ticket,"”
Trump's public suggestion of a Vance-Rubio ticket is an exercise in political kingmaking. By endorsing a specific pair, he attempts to narrow the field of viable contenders and ensure that the 2028 nominee adheres to his specific policy framework and political style, effectively extending his influence over the Republican Party's executive leadership for another four to eight years.
