JD Vance dismisses 2028 tension, calls Marco Rubio 'best friend' in the Trump administration

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday, October 29, dismissed speculation that he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were on a collision course ahead of the 2028 election after President Donald Trump publicly floated their names as potential successors.

“First of all, no, there’s not going to be any tension. Marco is my best friend of the administration. He and I work a lot together,” Vance told the New York Post’s 'Pod Force One'.

Vance says it's too 'early' to talk about the 2028 run

Vance said, “So far, I have never woken up and thought to myself, ‘How do I make myself president of the United States?’ What I wake up and think to myself is, ‘How do I do a good job as vice president?’”

While Vance insisted it’s too soon to talk about 2028, President Trump appeared to think otherwise. Speaking to reporters, Trump said a team of Vance and Rubio would be “unstoppable.”

Vance, however, said the idea had only come up jokingly.

“The president first raised this with me probably six months or so ago during one of our private lunches,” he said. “And I mentioned to the secretary in jest, but it feels so premature, because we’re still so early.”

Vance says let's get through 'the next couple of years'

Asked about Trump’s reluctance to publicly endorse a 2028 successor, Vance laughed off the remark.

“I’m going to work as hard as I can to make the president successful over the next three years and three months,” he said.

“If we get to a point where something else is on offer, let’s handle it then. But let’s at least get through the next couple of years,” he concluded.

Trump rejects speculations about 2028 race

Trump, meanwhile, shot down suggestions from supporters that he could run for president in 2028. 

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while heading to South Korea on Wednesday, Donald Trump said, "It’s a very interesting thing. I have the best numbers for any president in many years."

“And I would say that, if you read it, it’s pretty clear. I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad,” the Republican leader added. “But we have a lot of great people.”

For months, Trump has seemingly been evading the 2028 question, even reportedly selling and handing out Trump 2028 merch.

On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson poured cold water on growing chatter about the possibility of President Donald Trump seeking a third term in office, saying to reporters that he sees no realistic path to amending the US Constitution to allow it.

“Well, there is the 22nd Amendment,” Johnson said when asked whether Trump could pursue another term.

The amendment clearly states, “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice.”