United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has added fresh fuel to growing speculation over the Republican Party’s post-President Donald Trump future after he publicly pledged support for Vice President JD Vance if he decides to run for president in 2028.
Speaking during an interview with NBC News aired on Saturday May 16, Rubio praised Vance as a strong future contender for the White House while downplaying discussion surrounding his own political ambitions.
“J.D. is a very good friend of mine. If J.D. runs for president, I think he’d be a phenomenal candidate,” Rubio said.
“I’ve said publicly and I’ll say it again, I’ll be the first person to sign up and support him. I think J.D. would do great.”
Rubio made the remarks while responding to questions about whether he had presidential ambitions of his own after serving in President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Marco Rubio downplays 2028 lineup speculations
The secretary of state indicated that his immediate focus remained on completing his current role rather than planning a future political campaign.
“No, look, I’m focused — I know this is going to sound like a typical job,” Rubio said during the interview.
“I’m going to be in this job for the next two and a half years. That’s — I’m going to do that job. I’m going to finish the job for this president.”
Rubio also dismissed speculation about whether he would be interested in serving as vice president in a future administration.
“I want to be the Secretary of State, and I’ll worry about the future in the future,” he said. “I’m not telling you that that’s what I’m aiming for.”
The former Florida senator also reflected briefly on his lengthy political career, noting that he had spent years in public office and may eventually pursue life outside politics.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time too. I was in the Senate starting in 2010,” Rubio said.
“So I’d like to do some other things with my life at some point, although public service is an honor to be able to be involved in.”
Rubio’s comments come just days after Vance himself attempted to downplay growing speculation surrounding the 2028 Republican presidential race.
JD Vance breaks silence
Speaking at a White House news conference on May 13, the vice president said he had little interest in discussing political ambitions beyond the current administration.
“I think most Americans would rightly view someone who’s barely been in one office for a year and a half angling for a job two and a half years down the road negatively,” Vance said.
“There are few topics I want to talk about less,” he added.
Speculation surrounding both men intensified earlier this week after Trump publicly mentioned Rubio and Vance during a National Police Week dinner event held in the Rose Garden at the White House.
“Who likes J.D. Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio? All right. Sounds like a good ticket,” Trump told attendees while polling the audience.
“J.D. is a perfect — that was a perfect ticket,” the president continued before adding, “By the way, I do believe that’s a dream team.”
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Trump later clarified that his comments should not be viewed as an official endorsement of either man for the 2028 race.
“That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstance,” Trump said.
“But you know … I think it sounds like presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.”
The comments nevertheless intensified ongoing discussions within Republican political circles over who could emerge as the party’s leading figure once Trump leaves office.
Both Rubio and Vance currently occupy prominent positions within the administration and have become increasingly visible figures among Republican voters and conservative activists.
Rubio unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 before losing to Trump during the primary race.
He later returned to the Senate and eventually joined Trump’s second administration as secretary of state.
In recent months, Rubio has also taken on additional responsibilities, including serving as acting national security adviser.
President Trump has repeatedly praised Rubio’s performance in office.
Vance, meanwhile, entered the White House after serving his first term in the Senate.
Since becoming vice president, he has emerged as one of the administration’s leading public defenders on domestic and foreign policy matters.
Despite mounting political speculation, both Rubio and Vance have continued emphasizing that their focus remains on serving in the current administration rather than launching future campaigns.
