Is Trump Souring on J.D. Vance as His Preferred 2028 Successor?
“In recent conversations with aides and allies, President Trump often interjects with a question about his vice president: Does JD Vance have what it takes to go all the way?”
After witnessing a decade of Democrat-driven narratives and hoaxes targeting President Donald Trump, many Americans have become familiar with the pattern. It often begins with a suggestive report in the New York Times. From there, the story is echoed and amplified by other media outlets until it acquires the appearance of established fact. Before long, a substantial portion of the electorate accepts the narrative as true, regardless of how thin the underlying evidence may be.
On Saturday, the Times published an article titled “Is JD Vance the 2028 Front Runner? Trump Has Questions.” It’s lede informs readers that “President Trump appears to see the matter of his heir as unsettled, adding a layer of tension to his relationship with Vice President JD Vance.”
The authors, Katie Rogers and Tyler Pager, claim to have interviewed more than a dozen individuals “directly familiar with the dynamic between the two men.” Several of those sources spoke to the Times on the condition of anonymity.
Frankly, the article reads as though its authors started with their desired conclusion — that Trump has soured on his vice president — and then gathered evidence to support it.
Is there some truth to the story? Perhaps. But it is equally fair to ask whether we are witnessing the early stages of yet another media-driven effort to manufacture a rift between Trump and Vance where little or none actually exists. Readers can judge for themselves.
The piece begins:
In recent conversations with aides and allies, President Trump often interjects with a question about his vice president: Does JD Vance have what it takes to go all the way?
He usually answers his own question: He’s not so sure.
The authors note that “Trump has long conducted running focus groups on his closest aides, and appears to enjoy needling them and keeping them off balance as a way of asserting his dominance.” They admit that he behaves much the same way with many of his closest advisers, but nevertheless argue that the dynamic is different when it comes to Vance.
It’s not because Trump treats him any more harshly than anyone else, they acknowledge, but because the political stakes surrounding the vice president are considerably higher.
According to the sources, Trump has often told members of his inner circle that Vance has never never won a tough election without his help. The sources also claimed that Trump has expressed concern about the amount of vacation time Vance has taken and has repeatedly mentioned the vice president’s initial opposition to military action against Iran.
In addition, the sources said Trump “has repeatedly brought up a moment from last spring, when Mr. Vance fumbled Ohio State’s national football championship trophy on the White House South Lawn. (Mr. Trump has said he is happy it wasn’t him.)”
“Mr. Trump has continued to needle Mr. Vance on matters of substance and style, from criticizing his shoes to ribbing him for his tendency to interject in conversations.”
The sources reported that Vance’s frequent activity on social media is yet another grievance Trump supposedly harbors against him.
In meetings, Mr. Vance frequently scrolls his phone, and he uses social media to fight with his critics. The president frequently posts to Truth Social, but he does not spend time replying to people online, as Mr. Vance does.
Susie Wiles, Mr. Trump’s chief of staff, recently advised Mr. Vance to take a break from social media, as have other officials in the West Wing, according to people familiar with those interactions, because the fighting was beneath his office. (Mr. Vance said he took a break for Lent.)
The article included criticism from “Republicans” Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, influencers who lost their credibility a long time ago.
Reached for comment, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded with the following statement:
Vice President Vance has done a remarkable job of helping implement the president’s America First agenda. There has been no vice president in history who has been more empowered, and that is a reflection of the strong trust and relationship between the two. Any false media narratives from unknown and unnamed sources fabricating stories clearly do not have any knowledge of the truth.
Donald Trump Jr. also issued a statement:
My father always brings up how JD is a savage and annihilates the fake news, like the made-up narrative of this story. Interviews, rallies, podcasts — he shows up and performs and that’s what my father cares about.
While the Times fails to make its case that Trump is souring on his vice president, it may be true that Trump thinks Rubio would make a better president than Vance.
Rubio’s recent surge in 2028 Republican primary polls show that GOP voters might be reaching the same conclusion.
An Emerson College poll of Republican primary voters released last Thursday found Rubio and Vance essentially tied, with Vance at 36% support and Rubio close behind at 35%. The trend lines are moving sharply in opposite directions: Rubio has climbed 15 points since Emerson’s February survey, while Vance has shed 16.
𝐑𝐔𝐁𝐈𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐑-𝐓𝐈𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖 — 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐅 𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐒
A new 2028 Republican primary poll shows just how deep the bench is: 𝐉𝐃 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟑𝟔%, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨 𝐑𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐨 𝟑𝟓% —… pic.twitter.com/BJ7jYTLoWn
— M.A. Rothman (@MichaelARothman) May 28, 2026
An Atlas-Intel poll released on May 12 showed Rubio had catapulted past Vance to lead the Republican field with 45.4%, a stunning jump from 22.6% in December. Meanwhile, Vance’s support had dropped to 29.6%, down sharply from 46.7% in the previous survey. As Professor Jacobson noted in the post below, this is “essentially a complete flip of positions in 5 months.” He added that, “The big online ‘influencers’ and podcasters are out of touch.”
Rubio’s increasing momentum can likely be attributed to the extremely high profile he’s maintained throughout much of Trump’s second term. And his visibility has grown significantly over the past two months amid the Iran war. Clearly, Republicans like what they see.
Rubio surging (per A-Rated Atlas Intel) – JD Vance 29.6% down from 46.7% in December 2025 – Marco Rubio 45.4% up from 22.6% – Essentially a complete flip of positions in 5 months. The big online 'influencers' and podcasters are out of touch. pic.twitter.com/S8iCSAUsGu
— William A. Jacobson (@wajacobson) May 12, 2026
Trump is famously attentive to polling data, and there is little question that he has noticed Rubio’s rapid ascent. Beyond the public surveys, it is also likely that Trump has access to internal polling that provides an even more detailed picture of the shifting political landscape.
If current polling trends continue, Trump could very well conclude that a Rubio-Vance ticket offers Republicans their strongest path to victory in 2028. But that would be a political calculation grounded in electoral realities, not based on speculation about Vance’s vacation plans, footwear choices, or other anecdotes the Times presents as evidence of a growing divide.
The article reads less like a sober analysis of the Trump-Vance relationship and more like an attempt to connect dots that simply are not there. After all, a perceived rift between the president and vice president would serve the interests of Trump’s opponents by creating the appearance of instability within the administration. And the Times‘ article seems designed to leave readers with precisely that impression.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on LinkedIn.
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Comments
Well, if the NYT says so, based on “anonymous sources”, you know it’s a lie
Vance needs to up his profile. Pick a topic and work it hard. Government waste, fraud and abuse would be an excellent platform to go after all his likely Dem opponents.
Already happening.
Nothing the NY Times prints is truthful. If they printed a quote of mine letter for letter word for word I would still doubt its veracity, Even my birds throw a fit when I use the Times to line its cage.
True, but, homeless on park benches in the winter appreciate their fuller coverage.
/ducking
We used to put our wet boots on the Sunday NYT in front of the radiator. My dad said it was the Times that dry men’s soles.
Outstanding ! : )
But it does match the buzz I’ve heard from conservative sources.
Vance has been widely touted for his talented ability to crush leftoid presstitutes effortlessly. But there haven’t been viral incidents of that lately, plus his star has been tarnished by over-collaboration with groypers.
Rubio has been radiating BDE lately, primarily because Trump continually thrusts him into multiple new situations that call for him to step up and do exactly that. He hasn’t dropped the ball even once, which is a MAJOR achievement.
Maybe Vance could show the same aptitude, but he hasn’t been given the same challenges.
Rubio has a lot more experience in government than Vance and it shows. Perhaps it hasn’t been that Vance has been bad; but rather, that Rubio has been so good.
“ Frankly, the article reads as though its authors started with their desired conclusion”
The usual rule applies, UNLESS you hear it direct from Trump himself then it’s a load of bollocks.
And even if you DO hear it from Trump, it’s subject to immediate change.
Right, Elon?
Unless it’s directly from the man himself, take EVERYTHING with a sack of salty leftist tears sweetie 🤣🤣
1. Trump doesn’t get to declare an “heir”. As much as the lefties try to pretend he’s acting as a monarch, he’s not. He can try to convince others not to run in the primary against Vance, or he can encourage them to do so, but he doesn’t and can’t control who tosses their hat in the ring.
2. Even if Trump sours on JD Vance…who cares? We’ve got a very deep bench and there are several viable candidates to be elected as the next Hitler.
I personally have questions about JD’s support for Tucker Carlson even though Tucker has quite publicly and clearly lost his freaking mind. Kind of makes me question JD’s judgement a bit.
I’ve never been all that impressed with Marco Rubio, but I have to say he’s really impressed me as SecState and there’s always DeSantis waiting in the wings. Heck, if you have to reach back to the 4th string, even Ted Cruz is head a shoulders above anyone the Dems could pose against him.
I think we’ll be all right as far as a candidate goes. The thing we have to fear is can our candidate beat the margin of cheat? It’s pretty clear the Republican establishment isn’t in any rush to pass the Save America act. Failing that, fraud is going to be a major factor.
Can any Republican candidate get enough legitimate votes to make it untenable for the Dems to cheat their way into the lead? That’s the question.
I think Rubio has shown his chops on the world stage, and Vance has not. He is more of a homegrown made-good type candidate. The question is, will voters respond to what this WH has done on the world stage, or do they want more of a grassroots guy?
With all the misinformation out there from both sides of the aisle, it’s tough to tell what people want.
“Rubio has shown his chops”? Have you lived under a rock until, like, two months ago? Rubio is a better follower, than a leader. The only chops he has shown are RINO-chops, and should not be seriously considered for the VP role.
Trump knows a loser when he sees one. That’s all
I know a loser when he shows his a$$.
The roles are different. “Little” Rubio has blossomed under Trump being the Swiss Army Knife as Secretary of Everything, What is happening behind the scenes? Vance may not share the headlines but doesn’t share the risk. Both will be president. Rubio has publicly feigned wanting to be prez…. yet. I believe him. If you remember the Chip n Dale cartoons… they are the same pair.
Did you really mean feigned, or disclaimed?
Pratt or Hilton win in Cali – they immediately go to A+.
IMO there’s probably never been a realistic idea that Trump himself would endorse someone from day one of the ’28 primary season. Is the VP usually considered to be the successor? Sure but Trump ain’t exactly bound by normal political expectations. I suspect he’s gonna stay out the primary until a clear leader emerges then make an endorsement to try and end expenditure of $ and effort, allow the party to coalesce around one candidate and importantly retain his ‘endorsement mojo’. Were Trump to endorse candidate X early and the voters choose candidate Y instead…. Trump would face a very diminished influence. That’s not likely but not impossible either in a primary and the wise course would be to avoid an anointing and let the primary voters decide.
The position of VP has always been a job that has mixed outcomes. The VP almost never gets a job that is truly important and if he/she does, it is primarily a figurehead spot. In this case Vance was correct in his advice of NOT going into Iran. Trump and the GOP would be in a much better position today if he had heeded Vance’s advice. Rubio has done an excellent job but remember, he is carrying out Trump’s policies, not his own. Do we know what his positions are? As a Senator, he got into some very dubious positions on immigration and the military.
VP Vance is I charge of the fraud BS which has cost taxpayers trillions of dollars
He will get some wins let see how this all works out
I am loving the new Rubio, but I remember the old Rubio
Yep. I like them both – and both have question marks … that’s why Republicans lately have had actual primaries – not coronations.
Hey, look. The media has to be as hard on JD Vance as it was on Kamala Harris, right?
“Any headline that ends with a question mark can be answered with the word ‘No’.”
-Betteridge Law of Headlines
I’ve said that many times. Didn’t know it was already a law of nature. Thanks for that.
Does his wife have a CDL?
If you meant Usha Vance she’s a successful attorney with a very impressive CV.
Rubio has been stellar as SoS; but he has also said he follows what his boss wants to do, implying g he doesn’t always agree with Trump.
There are two reasons I would not vote for him as president. He is first generation. He was a member of the Gang of 8. Two huge disqualifiers for me.
Rubio is a second-generation American. He was born here. Trump is also second-generation on his mother’s side, third on his father’s.
If you see it in The New York Times, it ain’t so.
(with apologies to young Virginia of “Yes, Virginia” fame)
Did Vance ever put his finger in Schumer’s belt loop? Rubio has performed well for Trump. I cannot forget when Rubio decided to go off on a frolic of his own.
we have been overrun by infidels so jd vance or snookie…who knows
any true maga aka pro americans are the only ones we need in charge as the republic for which it stood..7 nations under godz with liberty and justice to only those brave enough to take it back from lefty
I think a Vance Rubio ticket which ever name is first would be the best chance in 2028.
The news maggots must be hard up to find something report about. So make up some news.
Why are we looking at Vance and Rubio, other than they are in Trump’s administration? Vance is married to an asian indian, which cannot but cause him to view India with a positive view which is a negative for our young people in need of the jobs and housing indians here take.
Rubio is barely 2nd generation American, and has pushed amnesty.
DeSantis is the man, even if no one will give him his due. He GETS IT DONE.
I don’t want Trump’s coronation of anyone as his successor. Trump needs to go away and play golf and fade into the sunset, as Bush 43 and 45 have done, and stay out of politics. His colossal ego won’t let him stay away from interfering.
There are legitimate concerns about the judgment of both Vance and Rubio. With Vance, it’s his association with the likes of Tucker and others, and his wishy-washy support of Israel. With Rubio, it’s his role in the Gang of 8 and support of amnesty for illegals. I met Rubio years ago when he first ran for Senate at a gun show in Tampa, and wasn’t impressed. He seemed opportunistic, too willing to sellout his principles for money support and votes. At the same time, he’s performed superbly as SecState, and that surprised me. As does Vance, they have another 2.5 years to prove they have the right guts and principles to be president.
As was pointed out already – we are not democrats and Trump is not king. Republicans actually respect the primary process and it will determine the best candidate.
As for Vance, he appears to be doing great on fraud.
If he really wants to spike the football, as President of the Senate, he needs to whip the Senators into action on the Save America Act. He should get out in front of MAGA weekly or more and commit to primarying every Senator who cannot commit to passing it before the 2026 election. He should commit to using the full power of the VP and POTUS to ending the political careers of RINOS holding it up.
If he brings that home, he will be hard to beat.
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