Scott Jennings dismisses 2028 GOP rivalry rumors between JD Vance and Marco Rubio

WASHINGTON, DC: Scott Jennings pushed back on Monday, February 16, against speculation of a 2028 Republican primary showdown between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during an appearance on 'The Lead'.

The chatter follows Vance’s controversial speech in Munich last year, where he accused European leaders of censorship and drew sharp criticism.

When Rubio addressed the same audience in 2025, he took a more measured approach, emphasizing shared history and common values. After Jennings applauded Rubio’s remarks, host Dana Bash pressed him on whether the contrasting styles signal a brewing 2028 battle.

Marco Rubio backs JD Vance for 2028

“You think Marco Rubio is someone the party should seriously consider over the sitting vice president?” Bash asked.

Jennings responded, “As far as I know, Marco Rubio has said that he’s supporting JD Vance, if JD Vance runs for president. That’s my expectation, is that the vice president will run, and if he wants to be the nominee, he will likely be the nominee.”

He added, "Rubio says he’s for him. The president himself has said he thinks they would be a great ticket."

Jennings emphasized that Republicans see Vance as the clear frontrunner for 2028. "And JD Vance tweeted out Marco Rubio’s speech this weekend and said, ‘Everybody needs to watch this.’ I think between Vance and Rubio, you have two clear thinkers, and, yes, they do approach, I think, their views and how they came to be Republican leaders in different ways."

He concluded by adding, "But they both have one thing in mind and that’s defending the future of Western civilization, and I think that’s why they would work well together. But, no, right now it is pretty obvious to me, and most Republicans, that JD Vance is highly likely to be the nominee in 28.”

JD Vance hails Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference

Vance reposted the State Department’s video of Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference and urged his followers to watch it. “This is a great speech. Worth watching the whole thing,” he wrote.

In March 2025, Vance assumed the role of finance chair at the Republican National Committee, becoming the first sitting vice president to hold the position. 

By leading major fundraising efforts and shaping party strategy, he strengthened his position as the front-runner for the GOP’s 2028 presidential nomination.

A few months later, in August 2025, Vance declared he felt ready to serve as president and cited polling that placed him ahead of other potential Republican contenders.

Republicans have publicly backed him as the party’s likely nominee in 2028. During her AmericaFest 2025 speech, Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk endorsed Vance for president and outlined the GOP’s strategy for the next two election cycles.

Earlier, Jennings, a conservative pundit for CNN, told the DCNF that Vance’s appointment to the key RNC post “recognizes the massive influence JD has in the Republican Party as the heir apparent” and gives him a significant advantage over any prospective challengers in the 2028 GOP primary.