Vance Refutes Possible Clash With Rubio Over 2028 Ticket
Vice President JD Vance is dismissing online chatter suggesting friction between himself and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as speculation swirls about the 2028 Republican presidential race.
During an appearance on Pod Force One with host Mirana Devine, Vance brushed aside the idea that competition over a future White House bid could create tension between the two high-profile Republicans.
“The present doesn’t mention who will be go running for president who vice la is. Seems, it would be you that Marco Rubio muse three he’s run for president before. Would there be any tension there?” Devine asked.
“There’s not any tension. Marcos is my best friend in administration. He and I work a lot together and we really do, I think, a lot of the good work in this administration because we’re all able to work together in any in this is why I say worrying too much about the politics actually makes you worse at the job you have. In two days, the headlines will be something else,” Vance responded.
“I never want to wake up and stuff. I’ve never woken up in thought to myself. How I make myself United States. Would I wake up at think to myself is how do I do a good job, as vice president hiding Marco Rubio ask himself: how do I do a good job of secretary of state, and that should be the question. Each of us keeps on ask ourselves,” Vance added.
President Donald J. Trump, now serving his second term, also weighed in this week, praising both men but declining to tip his hand on 2028.
“That’s something I don’t have to worry about now. I’ve got 3 years to go. JD’s fantastic — and Marco. They’re both fantastic. I think Marco did a great job in Munich,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
While the White House focuses on governing, grassroots activists are already signaling their preferences. Vance emerged as the top choice in a straw poll conducted at the National Pro-Life Summit, according to organizers.
The informal survey, held among attendees at the pro-life gathering, asked participants to name their preferred Republican candidate for the 2028 nomination. Vance secured the highest level of support, ahead of other potential GOP contenders.
Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins framed the results as an early sign of where conservative energy is building.
“The dedicated grassroots of GOP activists—pro-life, youth voters—pick Vice President JD Vance as their top GOP presidential contender and flag CA Gov. Gavin Newsom as the possible leader of the Democratic Party,” Hawkins said in a statement, the Times noted. “Legislators take note: the campaign season has begun.”
Organizers said abortion policy ranked as the top issue for nearly half of respondents, with a significant majority listing it among their top two concerns — underscoring the continued centrality of life issues within the Republican coalition.
Other Republicans receiving support in the straw poll included Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Secretary Rubio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, though detailed rankings were not publicly released.
Participants were also asked about likely Democratic nominees. Respondents identified California Gov. Gavin Newsom as the most probable Democratic standard-bearer, ahead of former Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Though nonbinding, the straw poll offers an early glimpse into how key segments of the conservative grassroots are viewing the post-Trump era — even as President Trump remains firmly at the helm and focused on advancing his America First agenda.
For now, Vance and Rubio appear aligned in public, emphasizing policy over politics. But with 2028 on the horizon and conservative voters already paying close attention, the jockeying for the future of the Republican Party has quietly begun.