Veteran political analyst Mark Halperin is offering a bold prediction for the future of the Republican Party — one that places two of President Donald Trump’s most trusted allies at the top of the 2028 presidential ticket.

During an appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report,” Halperin told host Bret Baier that Vice President J.D. Vance is likely to lead the Republican ticket in the next presidential cycle, with current Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his running mate. If true, it would mark a rare instance where the GOP’s top ticket is effectively settled years in advance.

Baier played a recent clip of Secretary Rubio addressing the Senate on key global affairs and noted that Rubio’s political “stock has gone up.”

“Yeah, you know, when he was back in the Florida legislature, he was tagged as someone destined for, you know, a national profile, and his presidential campaign disappointed his supporters,” Halperin said. “But he is just one of the stars of this administration, even if you don’t agree with his policies. His knowledge of policy, his knowledge, his rhetoric, his confidence, and his winning over MAGA. He went a rough spell with MAGA over immigration, and now he is one of the heroes of the movement.”

Halperin added, “And I said earlier today, I’ll say it again, I really do think J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio could end up being a preordained ticket in 2028, unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.”

President Trump himself has acknowledged both men as strong future contenders. Speaking to NBC News earlier this month, he said: “There’s a lot of them that are great. I also see tremendous unity. But certainly you would say that somebody’s the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage.”

Vice President Vance, however, is brushing off any suggestion of rivalry with Rubio. In a candid interview with NBC News, Vance emphasized that if he does pursue the presidency in 2028, it won’t be out of entitlement.

“I can just feel it — the media is going to start telling some story of me versus Marco or me having a rivalry with Marco,” Vance recalled saying to a political consultant.

“Most of the time,” he added, “I don’t give a s— about this stuff. I don’t even think that much about it.”

Vance explained that his relationship with Rubio is built on deep mutual trust and constant communication.

He said the two speak multiple times a day — “on a light day” — and that if there’s a call Rubio is already on, he doesn’t hesitate to skip it, knowing he’ll be fully briefed afterward.

“That’s the level of trust and confidence that I have in Marco,” the vice president said. “My attitude is, if I do end up running in 2028, I’m not entitled to it. But I really think that Marco and I can get a lot done together over the next few years. That’s how I think about our friendship and our relationship. And I would be shocked if he thought about it any differently.”

Back in November, shortly after the 2024 election, Halperin pointed to one of Vance’s key advantages heading into 2028: his willingness to engage across all media platforms.

“I think one of the smartest things JD Vance could do to consolidate his position … is to go on those shows regularly,” Halperin said on “2Way Radio.” “He can do it. He can develop personal relationships with those people, and people in the media, contrary to popular perception, are human beings.”

“And if the vice president of the United States is stopping by your podcast every month and giving you time, you’re gonna be favorably disposed towards that person,” he added.

As 2028 looms on the horizon, the conservative movement appears to have a powerful duo in the making — one grounded in shared values, policy expertise, and mutual respect. If Halperin is right, the Republican Party could be heading into the next election cycle more united and focused than it has been in decades.