With President Donald Trump‘s presidential term ending in 2028, political watchers are speculating about who will inherit the MAGA movement’s mantle.
Two key figures, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appear to be the front-runners. Trump himself suggested that Vance is the “likely” candidate to succeed him, while also leaving open the possibility of a Vance-Rubio joint ticket.
Newsweek reached out to Vance via email and Rubio via contact form on the State Department’s website for comment.
Why It Matters
The MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement has dominated U.S. politics since Trump became the Republican Party‘s presidential nominee in 2016.
It has largely hinged upon Trump as an individual, making the question of his successor crucial, not only for the movement’s survival but also for the future direction of the Republican Party.
What To Know
Polymarket currently shows Vance as the clear favorite to succeed Trump, with a 55 percent chance of becoming the next Republican presidential nominee, compared to just 10 percent for Rubio.
Trump himself comes third in the odds, with a 5 percent chance, despite his soon reaching the end of this two-term constitutional limit as president.
When asked last week, Trump said that it was too early to determine his successor, but that Vance would be the likely choice.
“Well, I think most likely in all fairness, he’s the vice president,” Trump told CNBC. “I think Marco [Rubio] is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form. I also think 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 has previously been more lukewarm about Vance being his successor, answering bluntly “no” to a question in February about whether he saw him as his heir, while conceding that he is “very capable.”
President Donald Trump delivers an address accompanied by Vice President JD Vance (L), Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) on June 21, 2025.
President Donald Trump delivers an address accompanied by Vice President JD Vance (L), Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) on June 21, 2025.
Carlos Barria/Pool/Getty Images
While both Vance and Rubio are loyal Trump acolytes and share many of his views, they could represent different visions for the movement’s future.
Vance is a relatively new political figure, having become a senator for the first time in 2023 before becoming vice president. He has since emerged as a leading figure for populist, MAGA-style policies and a strong “America First” agenda.
Rubio, meanwhile, is a longtime Republican senator known for his traditional conservative stances. In recent years, he has repositioned himself as a strategic MAGA leader by adopting key movement policies and was appointed by Trump to be secretary of state.
Both men have been Trump critics at various points in their careers before embracing the MAGA agenda.
What People Are Saying
Vice President JD Vance, responding to President Donald Trump’s comments: “My view on the politics of 2028 is I’m not really focused even on the election in 2026, much less one two years after that. And if we do a good job for the American people, the politics will take care of itself.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to Fox News about Vance potentially running in 2028: “I think he’s doing a great job as vice president. He’s a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it, but I know it’s kind of early.”
What Happens Next
It is too early to tell how a potential race may shape up, but a joint ticket, as Trump has hinted, could be a possibility.
Both Vance and Rubio have expressed respect and friendship for one another, and Rubio himself has said that Vance would be a good candidate.