Trump Asserts It’s Premature to Endorse Vance as His 2028 Successor
President Donald Trump stated that the vice president is ‘very capable’ and emphasized that it’s still premature to make such a determination.
President Donald Trump mentioned that it’s too early to determine whether Vice President JD Vance will be his political successor in 2028, highlighting that the administration’s initiatives are only just commencing and that Vance is continually developing in his national role.
During a Fox News interview with anchor Bret Baier, released on Feb. 10, Trump was queried about whether he viewed Vance as his successor. He replied, “No, but he’s very capable.”
“I think you have a lot of very capable people,” Trump added. “So far, I believe he’s doing a fantastic job. It’s too early. We’re just starting.”
At only 40 years old, Vance ranks among the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history. Prior to joining Trump’s ticket, he had served for merely 18 months as a U.S. senator for Ohio—marking his first and only foray into public office.
Vance’s selection as Trump’s running mate initially faced skepticism, even from within the Republican Party. After winning the presidential election, Trump acknowledged he received “a little heat” for choosing Vance, but asserted that it was a “good choice.”
The ascent of Vance in Republican politics has been characterized by a transformation in his stance on Trump. Once a vocal critic, he later adopted Trump’s policies, a shift that his detractors perceived as political opportunism.
Related Story
In interviews, Vance has maintained that there was no single pivotal moment leading to his change of opinion. Instead, he asserts that his initial opposition to Trump was more about style than substance.
Vance mentioned in the interview that he voted for Trump in 2020 and added that much of the opposition to Trump stemmed from “a kind of social pressure,” which was driven by a “complete overreaction” to some of his controversial public statements.
Trump’s comments regarding Vance’s future emerged as the vice president made his international debut, attending a significant AI summit in Paris, France, on Feb. 10, followed by a security conference in Munich, Germany, later that week.
In Paris, Vance is anticipated to contest European efforts to tighten AI regulations, advocating instead for a more innovation-oriented approach amid a global competition to shape the future of AI. The summit, drawing world leaders, top technology executives, and policymakers, will address AI’s implications for global security, economics, and governance.
