Trump Reveals to Donors Who He’s Backing For 2028
President Donald Trump often triggers left-wing Democrats and TDS-affected Republicans when he floats running for a third term in 2028, even going so far as to wear a red ballcap with “Trump 2028” emblazoned on it.
But the president knows he’s constitutionally limited to two terms, so the real question has been who he’ll support as his successor.
The most obvious choice would be Vice President JD Vance, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s name has been mentioned more than a few times, as he has taken on several roles for the president in addition to his duties as secretary of state.
That said, according to Fox News, the president told donors at a meeting in the Oval Office two weeks ago who he will back.
“At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” an anonymous source first told the Washington Post.
While Vance remains the leading figure in many early hypothetical 2028 Republican presidential polls, Rubio has gained ground in several national surveys, early-state polls, and Republican straw polls ahead of a nominating contest that is not expected to begin in earnest until after the 2026 midterm elections.
According to the New York Post, Trump’s remarks should not be interpreted as an indication that he has chosen between Vance and Rubio as a potential successor.
However, the comments have drawn attention because they offer a rare glimpse into Trump’s long-term political thinking.
During a donor event in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Trump mentioned Vance once, praising him for his work on combating fraud.
“He’s doing a great job,” Trump said of the vice president.
Rubio, who represented Florida in the U.S. Senate before joining the Trump administration, was one of more than a dozen Republicans who sought the party’s presidential nomination in 2016 before losing to Donald Trump.
Earlier this year, Rubio finished a close second to Vance in the closely watched 2028 Republican presidential nomination straw poll conducted at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
Those results, along with recent national and early-state polling, have fueled speculation about a potential rivalry between Rubio and Vance as possible contenders for the 2028 Republican nomination, even as both men have publicly described each other as friends.
Also, Rubio has said if he would not seek the GOP nomination if Vance does.
“The president runs this administration: He is the very top of the administration; he makes orders,” Vance told “The Ingraham Angle” in an exclusive sit down Wednesday night.
“We, of course, have debates and conversations about what exactly we should do, but when the president of the United States makes a decision, we’re unified in this administration in carrying out that mission,” he added.
Although Vance was selected as Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election, Trump has also repeatedly praised Rubio for his work on foreign policy, including diplomatic efforts involving Venezuela, Cuba, and the Middle East.
Rubio has also served in multiple senior national security roles within the administration.
Earlier this year, Trump said Rubio could become “the greatest secretary of state in history.”
For his part, Trump has floated a Vance-Rubio 2028 ticket.
The president has described a potential Republican ticket featuring Vance and Rubio as “unstoppable,” while declining to indicate which of the two should head such a ticket.
Trump did say last year that Vance is “most likely” his heir, because “in all fairness, he’s the vice president.”
Although Vance has declined to discuss a potential 2028 presidential campaign, he has assembled a network of political advisers who could form the foundation of a national campaign should he decide to run.
Rubio, whose duties as secretary of state have kept him traveling extensively on international assignments, has not publicly developed a comparable political organization focused on a potential presidential bid.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
