President Donald Trump is reportedly evaluating Vice President JD Vance's performance as a potential successor in 2028, using his role as chief negotiator in the Iran war as a test. According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump has asked friends and advisers for their opinions on Vance's handling of peace talks, which recently included an unsuccessful round in Pakistan.
Trump has also been comparing Vance to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, weighing their prospects as a 2028 Republican presidential nominee. While Vance has adopted a cautious tone on the Iran war, Rubio, a longtime interventionist, has aligned more closely with Trump's hawkish stance. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended Vance, calling him an 'invaluable member' of the administration.
The president's scrutiny suggests Vance has little margin for error in securing a peace deal. Trump joked at an Easter lunch, 'If it doesn't happen, I'm blaming JD Vance. If it does happen, I'm taking full credit.' Meanwhile, Rubio has taken on additional roles, including acting archivist and acting USAID administrator, indicating Trump's trust in him.
Both Vance and Rubio have shifted from past criticism of Trump to full support. Rubio, who ran against Trump in 2016, has said he would not run against Vance in 2028, stating, 'I'll be one of the first people to support him.'
