Trump leaves Vance's 2028 plans in limbo after Democratic sweep
The president said he does not know if the vice president will seek the nomination, despite polls showing Vance and Marco Rubio as the leading contenders.
By Aiko Soto ·
Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he does not know whether Vice President JD Vance will run for president in 2028. The president made the comments at the White House the day after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.
Trump told reporters, "We will see what happens. We don't know who will run. There are a lot of people. Maybe no one will do it. Maybe he won't run, I don't know." His response came after journalists asked about Vance's political ambitions.
The midterm results marked a sharp shift in the balance of power, with Democrats reclaiming the House and Senate. This outcome is widely interpreted as a rejection of Trump's presidency by voters. Because Trump has already served two terms, he cannot run again in 2028, though he has expressed a desire to return to the race in the past.
The election results have accelerated the conversation about the Republican succession. Current polls identify Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the primary candidates for the nomination. Neither official has formally declared their candidacy yet.
Vance previously said during the campaign that he had not made a final decision about running. He expressed confidence that Trump would support him if he chose to compete. However, Trump later clarified that the two men had not discussed the matter directly.
The uncertainty around the 2028 race remains high as the new congressional session begins. No other major Republican figures have announced their intentions to challenge Vance or Rubio for the nomination at this time.
