Republicans worry that Trump’s successor can’t come from his White House
After a rough midterm, the party is wondering if there’s still a lane for a 2028 candidate who is closely tied to the president.
Republicans are grappling with a key question for the 2028 primary: Can a successor to President Donald Trump emerge from his administration? Vice President JD Vance is the most prominent potential successor, but his recent comments about the Iran war have raised concerns about his viability as a candidate. Several Republicans close to the administration believe that voters may not embrace Trump's chosen successor in 2028.
The devastating midterm defeat for the party has shifted the conversation from who can carry Trump's torch, to who can rebuild the movement from the ashes. While some Republicans see potential in Secretary of State Marco Rubio, others worry that anyone in Trump's circle could face similar headwinds. Democrats capitalized on voter dissatisfaction with the economy and the war in their sweep of the House, winning by an estimated 13 points.
The results have created opportunities for Republicans with separate political identities, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. However, Trump is not rushing to discuss 2028 or endorse any potential candidate, leaving the future of the party's leadership uncertain.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
