The race to succeed Donald Trump as the Republican Party's presidential nominee is ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio emerging as key figures. However, according to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, Donald Trump has incentives to keep the field guessing about his ultimate endorsement.
Haberman, who co-authored the book "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" with Jonathan Swan, noted that Vance is currently the presumptive frontrunner. Support from figures like Donald Trump Jr. and the Turning Point network, along with Rubio's public statements of support if Vance runs, signal a perceived alignment. Rubio himself has stated that if Vance enters the race, he would be the nominee and would receive his support.
Despite this apparent positioning, Vance's path is not guaranteed. Haberman pointed to "real fault lines" between Trump and Vance, citing disagreements over issues such as Iran strikes and the Epstein files. Vance reportedly argued forcefully against military action in one instance, which Haberman suggested may have cost him favor with Trump. This friction could influence Trump's decision when the next Republican primary arrives.
A significant factor in the succession process is Trump's own continued desire to remain in the public eye. Haberman stated that Trump "doesn't want to cede the stage to anybody" and that anointing a successor would "start the clock on his own relevance." There is little historical precedent to suggest Trump would step back quietly from the political arena, implying that any eventual nominee will likely still contend with Trump's presence and expectations.
Trump also appears to be strategically keeping Rubio in consideration, potentially as leverage over Vance. Haberman recounted a dinner where Trump solicited opinions on both Vance and Rubio from Rupert Murdoch. While Murdoch offered praise for Vance's potential, he described Rubio as "brilliant," creating an "uncomfortable" atmosphere. Although there is no current indication that Rubio plans to run, Trump has a history of pitting rivals against one another. Haberman also noted that Trump appears to have better personal chemistry with Rubio, a notable shift from the "Little Marco" attacks of 2016.
Ultimately, Haberman cautioned against assuming Trump's endorsements are certain, stating, "I think anybody who is counting on Donald Trump’s anything often ends up pretty disappointed."