Trump unsure Vance can lead US after his presidency — NYT
JD Vance, Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is increasingly questioning among aides and allies about whether Vice President JD Vance has what it takes to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee, The New York Times reports.
The media says the issue is not that Trump is distancing himself from Vance. On the contrary, he involves him in key decisions, gives him opportunities to strengthen his political standing ahead of the 2028 elections, and trusts the 41-year-old vice president to lead parts of the party fight on his behalf.
Trump has long conducted informal focus group discussions with close aides and appears to enjoy keeping them off balance while asserting his dominance.
However, when it comes specifically to Vance, the stakes are higher. In private conversations with aides and allies, Trump has questioned whether the vice president has enough qualities to become the future face of the Republican Party and the MAGA movement.
Trump has reportedly said he is not so sure about that, viewing Vance not as an obvious or inevitable successor but as an open question.
Key concerns
In private discussions, Trump often compares Vance's performance to his own achievements.
He has told allies that Vance has never won an election without his support — noting that Trump's endorsement helped him secure his Senate seat in Ohio. Trump has also pointed to the amount of vacation time Vance has taken, contrasting it with his own habit of not taking holidays.
The president has also raised Vance's earlier opposition to launching strikes against Iran, sometimes in Vance's presence. However, once Trump made the decision, Vance publicly defended it and aligned with the administration despite his earlier doubts.
Trump also reportedly questioned the decision to send Vance on a delegation to Pakistan, which ultimately failed to produce progress toward ending the war with Iran.
In addition, Trump has focused on moments when Vance may have appeared uncomfortable in public. One example frequently mentioned is an incident in spring 2025, when Vance awkwardly dropped an Ohio State football championship trophy on the White House South Lawn.
The NYT also highlights Vance's use of social media. According to the report, he often scrolls through his phone during meetings and engages directly with critics online. Trump, by contrast, posts frequently on Truth Social but does not typically respond to users in real time.
Sources say White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles recently advised Vance to take a break from social media, arguing that public online disputes are not appropriate for a vice president.
NYT assessment, Vance's possible rival
The outlet notes that Vance remains popular among MAGA supporters. However, to secure the Republican nomination in 2028, he would need to maintain strong ties with Trump and manage divisions within the party.
Trump previously said Vance is most likely to become his political successor. However, he has also suggested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio could be another contender.
Rubio reportedly spends more time with Trump, including traveling on Air Force One and joining him on trips, which has helped strengthen their relationship. Vance, as vice president, does not typically travel on the president's aircraft.
The NYT also describes a dinner at the White House Rose Garden where Trump asked guests who would be a better choice: Vance or Rubio, while signaling he did not explicitly support either.
Later that same month, Trump gave an interview to Fortune magazine in the Oval Office, where he was once again asked who would be best suited to carry on his political legacy.
"Whoever gets that position will be a very important figure. And if the wrong person gets it, it will be a disaster," he said.
During the interview, Vance watched Trump's responses from the back of the room.
Additional context
This March, a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) poll in Texas showed JD Vance as the clear favorite among conservative voters for the 2028 presidential race, while Marco Rubio polled lower.
Earlier, reports emerged that Trump had reportedly left instructions for Vance in case he became president due to an unforeseen event.
