It’s one of those moments that, while probably not the most significant thing that’s happened in the Donald Trump presidency so far, is likely to be remembered as something significant years from now.
In the president’s interview on Fox News that aired on the day of the Super Bowl in February, President Donald Trump was asked by actor Bret Baier if he views Vice President J.D. Vance as his successor, and as the Republican nominee in 2028.
“No,” Trump said. “But he’s very capable.” He went on to state“I think you have a lot of very capable people. So far, I think he’s doing a very fantastic job. It’s too early, we’re just starting.”
When Baier looked ahead to after the midterm elections in 2028, when Vance might be mounting a presidential campaign and seeking a Trump endorsement, Trump praised his vice president but stopped short of officially anointing him as his successor.
Why Not JD Vance?
Vance, for this part, told The Daily Mail in an interview the following week that “I think he said exactly what he should have said, which is, ‘It’s too early.’”
Donald Trump has been the Republican presidential nominee for three election cycles in a row and has held a grip on an American political party probably unseen since Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to four terms as president. Trump also has a similarly strong grip on the Republican base, to the point where members of Congress have faced his wrath, if not a rival endorsement, when they cross him.
So clearly, the Republican succession will be closely watched, with the 2028 election having no incumbent president in either party.
What Did Donald Trump Mean?
Since it was followed by praise for his vice president, it seems unlikely that the president’s comments in the Super Bowl interview were meant as a shot at J.D. Vance or an indication that Trump was unhappy with him.
Former Trump staffer-turned-critic Anthony Scaramucci said last month that he thinks Vance will ultimately go the way of previous Trump Vice President Mike Pence. But the president lacks the constitutional power to fire the vice president, nor can he drop him from the ticket, since Trump is also not allowed to run again.
The more likely answer is that Trump wants to hold some leverage, as well as some control over who might succeed him as the Republican nominee, and possibly as president.
Mapping Out 2028 Scenarios
As Baier said, following the 2026 midterms, the 2028 election will begin in earnest. Possible candidates, from both parties, will start taking trips to New Hampshire, Iowa, and other early primary states, and also attempt to raise money.
An incumbent vice president running for president can be awkward. During parts of the 2000 campaign, following the Lewinsky scandal, Bill Clinton and Al Gore weren’t speaking, and Gore didn’t want Clinton on the campaign trail. In 2024, things were a bit frosty between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, as multiple new campaign books are making clear. And both Gore and Harris went on to lose.
As is usual with Trump, the dynamic is different than with just about everyone else in politics. The president, and some of his supporters, have made noises about trying to go for a third term, which is not allowed constitutionally but may put his base in a position to reject other candidates.
But there are other possibilities as well. What if Trump decides he wants one of his children, rather than Vance, to succeed him? Trump has also been known to enjoy pitting his underlings against each other, and it’s not hard to imagine him stage-managing an open primary among several of his past frenemies, including the likes of Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, and having that serve as his last act in politics.
Then again, perhaps Trump will enter 2028 as a hugely unpopular incumbent — think George W. Bush at the end of his presidency — and Vance won’t want his endorsement anyway.
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
