Whether Donald Trump realized this or not, when he was in the market for a 2024 running mate — things didn’t work out well for his first political partner — he wasn’t just picking a future vice president. Trump was also helping choose the front-runner for the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential ticket.
After all, the incumbent president can’t run for a third term, no matter how many times he talks about the possibility. When Trump tapped then-Sen. JD Vance for the job last year, he was necessarily picking the man who’d be well positioned to lead his party once Trump grudgingly exited the stage. Vance didn’t speak publicly about his future electoral plans, but the Ohio Republican is just 40 years old, and there’s no reason to assume he’d be eyeing retirement ahead of the next national election cycle.
Indeed, recent history is worth keeping in mind: When was the last time a sitting vice president launched a White House race and failed to win their party’s nomination? Since the dawn of the modern primary system, it’s never happened.
With this in mind, Fox News’ Bret Baier asked the president, “Do you view Vice President JD Vance as your successor, the Republican nominee in 2028?” Trump didn’t say yes.
Baier: Do you view JD Vance as your successor?Trump: No
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) 2025-02-10T21:01:06.521Z
“No,” the president said, quickly adding, “but he’s very capable.”
In context, Trump didn’t sound as if he were trying to insult Vance, but he nevertheless went on to suggest that there are “a lot of very capable people” in Republican politics. The president added that he thinks Vance is doing “a fantastic job” but “it’s too early” to think about the 2028 race.
The Fox anchor reminded his guest that once the 2026 midterm elections come around, and would-be GOP candidates start eyeing national campaigns, Vance is “going to be looking for an endorsement.” Trump then changed the subject, talking about how impressed he is with his presidency. The president didn’t sound especially annoyed by the question, but Baier’s line of inquiry was itself notable: It was a timely reminder that Trump, whether he likes it or not, will never again be a candidate, and the spotlight will soon shift to others who will seek his job. The Republican will probably find that frustrating, but this was the first of many instances in which he’s asked for his thoughts about passing the torch.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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