President Donald Trump reportedly arranged for media mogul Rupert Murdoch to give a direct assessment of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as possible 2028 Republican contenders during a private dinner last October.
The exchange took place in front of both Vance and Rubio, according to Axios, which cited Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan’s upcoming book Regime Change.
Trump has repeatedly asked allies and donors to compare the two men as potential successors and used the dinner to get Murdoch’s opinion.
Trump first asked Murdoch about Vance, saying, “What do you think of JD?” Murdoch responded, “Well… I think JD has the potential to be great.”
When Trump asked about Rubio, Murdoch gave a more decisive response, saying, “Marco is brilliant.”
The comments left Vance with a positive but qualified assessment, while Rubio received strong praise from one of the most influential figures in conservative media.
Billionaire Dinner and Trump’s Successor Questions
The dinner reportedly took place months after Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. Murdoch attended the event, suggesting relations had improved after a period of tension between the two.
Also Read: JD Vance Says Critics Are Falling for Iran Deal Rumors as Trump Pursues Major Breakthrough
Trump had previously sued the Wall Street Journal, owned by Murdoch’s News Corp, following a report involving allegations about a birthday message connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
According to the report, Trump’s habit of asking people to choose between Vance and Rubio has become a recurring feature of his conversations about the future of the Republican Party.
Both men currently hold major positions in Trump’s administration, with Vance serving as vice president and Rubio serving as secretary of state.
The anecdote appears in early excerpts from Regime Change, which examines the opening months of Trump’s second term. Some administration officials have reportedly expressed concern over details revealed in the book.
Vance Raises Concerns Over Possible Leaks
Vance recently said he suspected sensitive administration discussions may have been shared with the authors of the book.
Speaking to conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly, Vance pointed to reporting about the administration’s handling of the Epstein files and said some details made him question whether private conversations had been recorded.
“There were certain things in there that legitimately made me worried that people were taping,” Vance said.
Also Read: Netanyahu Caught Spying on America as JD Vance Admits U.S.-Israel Interests Clash
Kelly referenced concerns about discussions in the Situation Room, where recording devices are prohibited. Vance added that such a recording would be illegal.
Administration sources reportedly told Axios they are worried some private conversations may have been captured without officials’ knowledge. It remains unclear whether any recordings occurred or whether any laws were broken.
Early Positioning for the 2028 Republican Race
The reported exchange highlights early maneuvering within Republican circles as political figures begin positioning themselves for the post-Trump era.
Vance, 41, has become a prominent figure in Trump’s movement and represents the party’s populist wing. Rubio, 55, brings years of political experience, including his previous role as a senator and his current position leading U.S. foreign policy.
Murdoch, whose media empire has played a major role in conservative politics for decades, remains an influential voice among Republican donors, activists, and media figures.
