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Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are emerging as leading contenders in the growing race to succeed President Donald Trump in 2028, using recent appearances in the White House press briefing room to strengthen their national profiles.
Vance took the podium this week while press secretary Karoline Leavitt was on maternity leave, following Rubio’s widely praised briefing appearance earlier this month. During the nearly hour-long session, Vance defended the Trump administration’s handling of the ongoing Iran conflict, a controversial issue that has contributed to declining approval ratings for the president.
The vice president also defended the administration’s newly established $1.8 billion compensation fund for Trump allies who claim they were politically targeted. He refused to rule out taxpayer-funded compensation for individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot and dismissed concerns surrounding Trump’s recent stock purchases as “absurd.”
Unlike Trump’s combative communication style, Vance maintained a calm and measured tone while answering questions from reporters. At one point, he joked about the disorder in the press room by referencing Rubio’s earlier remarks, saying, “Marco’s right, this really is chaos.”
Trump later praised both men when asked which briefing performance he preferred. Calling them “very good men,” Trump suggested that Vance and Rubio together would make a “perfect ticket,” though he stopped short of endorsing either for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination.
Rubio’s team further fueled speculation by releasing a campaign-style video highlighting his comments about the American dream and opportunity. Both Vance and Rubio strongly defended the administration’s Iran strategy despite growing public concern over rising gas prices and economic pressures tied to the conflict.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Trump’s approval rating nearing its lowest point since returning to office, while Vance and Rubio posted similar favorability numbers among voters. Despite the speculation, Vance denied he was considering a presidential run, insisting he remains focused on serving as vice president.
