Trump doesn't commit to endorsing Vance for president in 2028 yet

President Donald Trump declined on Tuesday to say whether he will back Vice President JD Vance as his successor, arguing that the question is premature. Asked by reporters in the Oval Office about a possible Vance run for the presidency, Trump said the two have never really discussed it and wondered aloud who would believe that, with Vance standing right behind him. His priority for now, he said, is getting through the midterm elections, after which they will see what happens, according to PBS NewsHour.

Trump did not withhold praise. He described Vance as a very talented and very good person, but he maintained that it is very early to be settling matters about the future of the party's leadership.

Vance has spoken about the same subject in an interview with journalist Mark Halperin. According to that conversation, the vice president remains undecided on whether he will seek the office. If he does enter the race, he anticipates that Trump would support him.

The exchange comes as Republicans at a convention in Dallas weighed possible options to lead the party after Trump, a field that has been floated as including Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis and Ted Cruz.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →