Could Vice President J.D. Vance be eyeing the Oval Office in 2028, or is he just playing the long game with a smile?
In a recent interview with NBC News, Vance tackled rumors of a potential rivalry with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, dismissed any sense of entitlement to a future presidential bid, and emphasized their strong partnership as key Republican figures often mentioned as 2028 contenders.
Let’s rewind a bit. Both Vance and Rubio have deep roots in the Senate, and their paths have often crossed as possible successors to President Trump.
They’ve built a rapport that, by all accounts, seems genuine—hardly the stuff of political soap operas.
Just last week, the duo traveled together to the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. If that’s not a sign of camaraderie, what is? It’s a far cry from the backstabbing narratives some in the media seem eager to spin.
“I can just feel it — the media is going to start telling some story of me versus Marco,” Vance reportedly told a political consultant. Well, isn’t that the oldest trick in the book? Painting conservatives as divided while ignoring the real work being done is a tired progressive trope.
Vance didn’t stop there. “That’s the level of trust and confidence that I have in Marco,” he told NBC News. If that’s not a shutdown of rivalry rumors, I don’t know what is—take note, headline hunters.
Meanwhile, Rubio’s star continues to rise with his recent appointment as national security adviser earlier this month, stepping into the role after Mike Waltz moved to become the nominee for ambassador to the United Nations.
It’s a big job, and Rubio’s experience, including his 2016 run for the Republican nomination, shows he’s no stranger to high stakes.
Back in 2016, Rubio’s presidential campaign hit a wall when President Trump clinched the Florida GOP primary, leading Rubio to suspend his bid. But let’s be honest—setbacks like that only build character, and Rubio’s clearly still in the game.
On the flip side, Vance’s influence in the White House is growing, with his role as a bold voice on the world stage earning attention. He’s not just sitting in the VP chair; he’s stirring the pot in all the right ways, challenging the status quo that’s too often gone unchallenged.
As for 2028, Vance is keeping his cards close. “My attitude is, if I do end up running in 2028, I’m not entitled to it,” he said in the NBC interview. Smart move—humility goes a long way, especially when the woke crowd loves to pounce on any hint of arrogance.
Vance also made it clear he’s focused on the present, not some far-off campaign. “I really think that Marco and I can get a lot done together over the next few years,” he added. That’s the kind of forward-thinking conservatives need, not endless election gossip.
President Trump, for his part, isn’t rushing to endorse anyone for 2028, calling Vance “very capable” but stopping short of a full nod. Vance himself argued it’s too early for such decisions, and he’s probably right—why lock in a pick when there’s still so much work to do?
Trump has teased the idea of a third term but clarified in a recent Time magazine interview that he won’t chase “loopholes” to make it happen.
When pressed on whether he’d run as VP on a 2028 ticket with Vance, Trump dodged with, “I am being inundated with requests.” Classic Trump—keeping everyone guessing while the media scrambles for a soundbite.
At the end of the day, the Vance-Rubio dynamic isn’t the feud some might hope for. These are two conservatives with shared goals, working under Trump’s banner to push back against a progressive agenda that’s often more about optics than results.