In their latest analysis of the 2028 presidential election on the Republican side, The Washington Post examines the early field but notes there is still room for “some surprises.”
Among the standouts, they highlight Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was once a Trump foil. Because Vance has “done little to set himself apart from Trump,” he tops the list according to a September YouGov poll. Rubio is frequently mentioned as Trump’s possible successor, and even the former president views both Rubio and Vance as his heirs apparent.
“Marco’s great,” Trump said, adding of Vance and Rubio: “I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two. I think if they formed a group, it would be unstoppable.”
In what The Post describes as “the middle of the pack” are Trump’s son Donald Jr., Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). DeSantis, the current governor of Florida who Trump publicly humiliated during the brief 2024 Republican primary, is still considered a key player. Donald Jr. seems to be positioning himself as the rightful heir to MAGA, stating recently: “That calling is there. I think my father has truly changed the Republican Party. I think it’s the America First party now, the MAGA party, however you want to look at it.”
Regarding DeSantis, The Post notes, “His run as governor of Florida ends in 2027, so he will have to build momentum for a presidential run while out of public office.”
Though Cruz is now a reliable Trump loyalist, The Post points out that he has been differentiating himself in subtle but notable ways. Cruz criticized the Trump administration’s threats to cancel late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over protected speech as “dangerous as hell,” has warned against Trump’s tariffs, and recently said he cannot support Trump’s allegedly antisemitic pick for Kuwaiti ambassador.
Then there are the “dark horses,” according to The Post. This group includes Trump himself, referring to his taunts about an illegal third term, and Department of Homeland Security leader Kristi Noem, whom Trump once considered as his vice president when she was governor of South Dakota. Noem has led mass deportations—one of Trump’s most well-known and controversial policies—and she has fully owned that stance.
Another dark horse mentioned is Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has convinced Trump to regularly share “unfounded vaccine skepticism,” despite himself having recently been vaccinated.
As the 2028 race develops, these candidates and dynamics signal a Republican field that remains competitive and unpredictable.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-jr-makes-the-case-he-s-the-rightful-heir-to-maga-as-speculation-about-2028-grows/
