'We need to elect JD': Trump's private remark to donors offers rare glimpse into his 2028 thinking
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump privately told donors, "At the end of the day, we need to elect JD," according to a report confirmed to Fox News Digital on Thursday, August 6, offering the clearest indication yet that his public neutrality over the 2028 Republican succession may differ from what he is saying behind closed doors.
The remark, made during an Oval Office meeting with donors roughly two weeks ago, has intensified attention on whether Trump is already signaling a preference for Vice President JD Vance even as he continues to publicly praise both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as possible successors.
Trump privately backs JD Vance
The Washington Post first reported Trump's comment, and a source familiar with the matter confirmed the reporting to Fox News Digital.
While the newspaper noted the remark does not prove Trump has formally chosen between Vance and Rubio, it described the comment as a rare and previously unreported glimpse into his long-term thinking, WaPo reported.
Trump has otherwise been careful not to publicly endorse either man.
During a donor speech in Las Vegas on Wednesday, he mentioned Vance only once, praising "the war on fraud led by our great Vice President JD Vance: He's doing a great job."
Trump keeps praising both Vance and Rubio
Trump has continued to lavish praise on Rubio, crediting him for peacemaking efforts involving Venezuela, Cuba and the Middle East while also serving as national security adviser.
Earlier this year, Trump declared Rubio would become "the greatest secretary of state in history."
He has also described a potential Vance-Rubio ticket as "unstoppable" without saying who should lead it.
Last year, however, Trump said Vance was "most likely" his political heir because "in all fairness, he's the vice president."
At the rescheduled White House Correspondents Dinner last month, Trump also joked he would run for a fourth presidential term, wearing Trump 2028 merchandise in a jab at critics.
Advisers remain divided on succession
Despite Trump's private donor remark, advisers remain unconvinced he has settled the issue.
According to the Washington Post, Trump recently questioned White House staff aboard Marine One about both Vance and Rubio.
One adviser told the newspaper Trump had privately decided Vance was his preferred successor, but six other advisers and allies said they did not believe the president had made a final decision.
Those advisers said Trump often sends different signals to different audiences and could still change course before the 2028 campaign begins.
They also expect him to delay any formal endorsement to avoid reducing his own political influence during the remainder of his presidency.
The succession dynamic mirrors Trump's search for a 2024 running mate, when both Vance and Rubio were finalists.
Advisers told the newspaper Trump enjoys keeping major political decisions uncertain and is reluctant to shift attention to a potential successor too early.
Vance has not announced a presidential campaign, saying in June that he planned to discuss his political future with his wife after the midterm elections and remained focused on serving as vice president.
People close to Vance also told the newspaper he intended to wait until after the birth of his fourth child before seriously weighing a White House bid. His fourth child was born on July 19.
