The New York Times reports today: "Trump privately asked his aides which of the two—Vice President Vance or Secretary of State Rubio—he would prefer as a candidate in the 2028 election, even suggesting the possibility of both running together as a ticket. Aides said he was mostly just joking around, but as the midterm elections approach, these two politicians whom he refers to as 'young upstarts' have begun actively building power and emerging on the scene."
This report carries significant implications. One key aspect is Trump’s early preparations for a 'post-Trump era.' Although he has previously stated he would not seek re-election, he has never fully relinquished his attachment to power. What aides call 'offhand jokes' are, in essence, Trump strategically positioning himself for the 2028 election.
The core of the report lies in Trump’s ambition to become a 'kingmaker.' By publicly discussing Vance and Rubio, he aims to control the narrative around succession—ensuring his political ideology endures and maintaining his influence well into the future.
From Trump’s perspective, despite term limits, he has not entirely ruled out a third term. He once said, 'I don’t know if I’ll still be in office,' keeping the possibility ambiguously alive. This deliberate ambiguity serves to sustain loyalty among his core supporters and continues to shape the political landscape leading up to 2028.
The central contest is straightforward: whoever best demonstrates loyalty to Trump and his base stands a better chance. Thus, Rubio actively embraces the 'MAGA' (Make America Great Again) movement; Vance carefully aligns with isolationist sentiments within Trump’s base to win support—both clearly understand this dynamic.
For both men, their current performance and results in the 2026 midterm elections will serve as the true 'qualifying race' toward 2028. The ability to preserve Republican dominance in Congress is the crucial step through which they must prove their political strength to Trump.
If one of Vance or Rubio were to represent the Republican Party in the 2028 presidential race, whom would you prefer?
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864858775439372/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.