Donald Trump hasn’t stopped joking about running again for the White House in 2028, even as he acknowledges it is “pretty clear” he is constitutionally ineligible for a third term. Whether intended as a taunt or a threat, his musings are a reminder that, even barred from the ballot, Trump is likely to remain a central figure in the campaign to succeed him.
The next Republican nominee faces the potentially enormous task of leading a party that has been entirely reoriented around Trump into a post-Trump era. Here’s a look at the Republicans best positioned for a White House run.
JD VanceJD Vance
Next in line to the presidency at just 41, Vance is widely viewed as the heir apparent in a Trump-aligned GOP. A one-time Trump critic who authored the best-selling book, Hillbilly Elegy, Vance is now firmly in the Maga orbit, preaching economic populism and cultural conservatism. He is staunchly “America First” and a leader of the “new right” populist movement that is nationalistic, anti-elite and deeply religious. Early polls and strategists indicate that Vance would emerge as an early frontrunner, especially if he had Trump’s backing. Trump has repeatedly praised Vance’s work as his vice-president, but has indicated that there are other capable contenders.
Marco Rubio
Secretary of state, interim national security adviser
Marco Rubio
Rubio, 54, has become one of Trump’s most trusted confidants – a surprising turn for the former rivals. Rubio, once derided by Trump as “Little Marco” during the 2016 primary, is now praised by the president as a loyal and capable ally, and even floated as a potential successor or running mate to JD Vance. Before joining the administration, the Florida senator built a reputation as a foreign-policy hawk. Now, he is the chief architect of the administration’s hard-line Venezuela strategy, including lethal strikes on suspected drug-running vessels – a stance that has put him at odds with some Maga isolationists.
Donald Trump JrDonald Trump Jr
Trump’s eldest son, 47, has no formal political experience but remains one of the most recognizable figures in the Maga movement. A fixture at rallies and a popular draw with the Republican base, he channels his father’s combative style and culture-war messaging. Trump Jr has repeatedly said he has “zero interest” in running in 2028, though he has also said that a future bid isn’t “100%” off the table. His last name alone ensures he will remain part of the conversation, and some allies believe a Trump-once-removed candidacy could appeal to voters who want continuity.
Ted CruzTed Cruz
In recent months, Cruz has taken sharp aim at internal tensions roiling Trump’s base. He has publicly challenged conservative host Tucker Carlson – accusing him of promoting antisemitic rhetoric – and defended hawkish foreign-policy views, including strong support for Israel that echoes the pre-Trump GOP. Cruz won the Iowa caucuses in 2016, beating Trump before eventually dropping out and becoming an ally. With a popular political podcast and a reputation as a sharp-edged conservative with deep ideological conviction, Cruz has strong sway among the libertarian and evangelical wings of the party – a base he hopes could propel a second White House bid.
Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis
The Florida governor, term-limited in 2026, is widely viewed as maneuvering to re-enter national politics once out of office. After his faltering 2024 presidential campaign against Trump, DeSantis has tried to rebuild his standing by promoting congressional term limits and aligning himself more closely with key elements of the president’s agenda. He has not ruled out a 2028 bid, while dismissing questions as “presumptuous”. While his influence in the national GOP has faded, DeSantis retains a sizable following among conservative voters who see him as a disciplined, policy-driven alternative.
Much could change as the Trump presidency evolves, reshaping alliances and opening space for new presidential contenders. Here are some other Republicans to watch:
Retiring Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene
Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem
Health and Human Services secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr
Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin
Georgia governor Brian Kemp
South Carolina senator Tim Scott
Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley
Utah governor Spencer Cox