Trump Leaves JD Vance Exposed After Refusing to Endorse Him

President Donald Trump put Vice President JD Vance in a tough position regarding the 2028 race on Monday night.

He asked a crowd in the White House whether they preferred Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but he quickly stated that he did not endorse either man.

Trump spoke at a Rose Garden Club dinner during Police Week. He invited attendees to applaud Vance and Rubio as potential candidates on a future Republican ticket.

Reports say Vance received a louder response from the crowd, while Rubio, who was not at the event, got a less enthusiastic reaction.

“Who’s it going to be? Is it gonna be J.D.? Is it gonna be somebody else? I don’t know,” Trump said, according to Time. He turned the moment into an informal poll, asking who preferred Vance and who preferred Rubio.

Trump praised both men as a “dream team” for a shared ticket, but he quickly clarified that this comment didn't mean he was endorsing either of them. “That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstance,” he said, according reports.

This left Vance in a sensitive position. As Trump’s vice president, he is one of the most prominent Republicans in Washington and a likely candidate for the party’s 2028 nomination.

However, Trump's refusal to give even a symbolic endorsement showed that Vance has not secured the support of the one person whose backing may be crucial in a Republican primary heavily influenced by Trump.

The exchange also benefited Rubio at a time when he was gaining attention within Republican circles. He has increasingly become a topic of speculation for the 2028 race after notable appearances, including a recent White House press briefing and a meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

The Washington Post reported that Rubio and the White House have tried to downplay talk of a 2028 run, even as discussions around “Marcomentum” have risen online.

Trump's remarks followed weeks of speculation about whether he sees Vance, Rubio, or another Republican as his political successor.

Reuters reported earlier this year that Trump had not chosen sides between Vance and Rubio in the debate over the GOP’s next leader.

Vance also recently visited Iowa, a key early state for presidential candidates, which stirred up conversation about his long-term ambitions.

Supporters of Rubio have highlighted his growing role in the administration. He has represented the United States in important diplomatic situations and has appeared more often in public roles related to foreign policy and national security.

Reuters noted that Rubio met Pope Leo at the Vatican last week while the Trump administration tried to smooth over tensions with the Catholic leader.

Vance has also made moves to stay relevant in the 2028 discussion. He has been fundraising, showing up alongside Republican candidates, and remains one of Trump’s closest allies.

However, Monday's event illustrated the challenges even for the sitting vice president: he still had to compete for applause in front of the president's guests.

No major Republican has officially entered the 2028 presidential race yet. Trump’s public test of Vance and Rubio, however, clearly indicated that the race to succeed him has already begun within the party's most influential circle.