Donald Trump has stated that it is too early to consider endorsing candidates for the 2028 Republican presidential primary, despite reports that he had told donors that the party "need[s] to elect JD" Vance. The former president made the remarks Thursday, responding to a report from The Washington Post.
"No. No. It's, uh - I heard about it a little while ago. I think he's great, but we're way too early to even be thinking about that. Okay?" Trump said when asked if the report suggested an official endorsement of Vance. Multiple Trump advisors reportedly indicated that the president has not settled on Vance as a clear frontrunner, with one official stating that "Anyone assuming it’s a lock is just getting way ahead of themselves, or just doesn’t know the president very well."
Trump has reportedly been asking advisors about the strengths and weaknesses of both Vance and Senator Marco Rubio as potential 2028 contenders. Rubio has previously stated he would not challenge Vance in a primary, a sentiment that could clear the field for the Vice President if Trump were to endorse him.
Vance's Standing in Early Polling
Even without a formal endorsement, Vance holds a significant lead in early polling among Republican primary voters. A Daily Mail/JL Partners poll shows Vance with 48 percent, a three-point decrease, but still substantially ahead of his closest rival, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has gained three points to 18 percent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis follows at 12 percent, up three points, while Senator Ted Cruz is at 5 percent, down one point.
In a head-to-head matchup, Vance leads Rubio 60 percent to 29 percent. Vance has not officially announced a presidential campaign, though he has indicated it is something he is considering. He stated in a June 2026 interview that he and his wife would discuss "what comes next for our family" after the 2026 midterms and believes Trump would support his decision.
Vance and his wife recently welcomed their fourth child, marking the first time in 156 years a sitting vice president has had a child in office. The last instance was in 1870, when Vice President Schuyler Colfax had a son.
Republican Desire for Trump's Influence
The poll also indicates that a majority of Republicans want Trump to be involved in shaping the party's future. Seventy-five percent of respondents said Trump should be "very involved" or "somewhat involved" in selecting the 2028 nominee. Trump's approval rating stands at 44 percent. On the Democratic side, Kamala Harris leads early 2028 polling at 31 percent, followed by Gavin Newsom at 14 percent and Pete Buttigieg at 9 percent.