Trump Officially Names Vance as His Successor
Denies Third-Term Bid but Leaves Possibility Open
Secretary of State Rubio Holds Higher Name Recognition
JD Vance, Vice President of the United States, is giving a speech in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on the 31st of last month (local time). President Donald Trump designated Vice President Vance as his political successor on the 5th. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
As the excitement surrounding the 2028 U.S. presidential election is already heating up, President Donald Trump has designated Vice President J.D. Vance as the successor who will lead the 'MAGA (Make America Great Again)' movement.
At a press conference related to the Los Angeles (LA) Olympics on the 5th (local time), President Trump stated, "He is most likely the successor to MAGA," adding, "He is the Vice President and is doing an excellent job." He further remarked, "Marco Rubio is also someone who could work with Vance in some capacity."
Both Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been mentioned as potential presidential candidates. President Trump's latest comments are interpreted as lending more weight to Vice President Vance.
In an interview with Fox News in February, when asked whether Vice President Vance was a suitable successor, President Trump described him as "very capable" but also said, "It's still too early," withholding a definitive stance. CNN reported that this latest statement "effectively signals President Trump's potential support for Vice President Vance," and assessed it as "the strongest public statement designating a successor to date."
Last month, Secretary Rubio stated, "Vice President Vance would make an excellent candidate," drawing a line on his own 2028 presidential bid but not ruling out the possibility entirely. In an interview with CNN, Vice President Vance emphasized his close working relationship with Secretary Rubio, saying, "Secretary Rubio is one of my most trusted friends in the administration." CNN pointed out that Secretary Rubio, having worked on the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election, has relatively higher national name recognition compared to Vice President Vance.
President Trump himself, while officially denying a bid for a third term, left the door open. In an interview with CNBC on the same day, he said, "I want to run. I am recording the highest poll numbers ever," expressing strong intent. However, he acknowledged the limitations, stating, "Realistically, I probably won't run again (due to constitutional constraints)." The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stipulates that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice," and this applies even to non-consecutive terms.
Meanwhile, Democratic hopefuls are also accelerating their preparations for the next presidential election. According to political media outlet Politico, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer are reportedly solidifying their presidential ambitions by raising funds through leadership political action committees (PACs) and running nationwide digital advertisements.
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