President Donald Trump reportedly told donors recently that Vice President JD Vance should succeed him as the nation’s chief executive.

Trump privately told supporters during an Oval Office meeting about two weeks ago, “At the end of the day, we need to elect JD,” signaling he may be moving toward backing Vance as his preferred successor for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

The reported remarks mark a shift from Trump’s public posture over the past year, during which he frequently fueled speculation by praising both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio while declining to identify a clear favorite.

According to the Post, although Trump has privately expressed confidence in Vance, some advisers caution the president is known for keeping his options open and is unlikely to issue a formal endorsement anytime soon to avoid appearing as a lame-duck president.

Vance has repeatedly said he remains focused on serving as vice president and has not decided whether he will seek the White House in 2028.

He told CBS News in June he expects to discuss the matter with his family after the 2026 midterm elections and expressed confidence Trump would support whatever decision he makes.

The Post reported that Trump has been impressed with Vance’s work inside the administration, including his role in negotiating a June ceasefire proposal with Iran, leading efforts to combat fraud in federal benefit programs, and aggressively defending the administration during a series of media appearances.

Meanwhile, Rubio remains a respected figure within the administration, but his duties as secretary of state and national security adviser leave little room for presidential politics.

Trump has reportedly floated the idea of a Vance–Rubio ticket, though it remains unclear whether Rubio would be interested in serving as vice president.

The prospect of Vance becoming Trump’s political heir has already sparked resistance from some establishment conservatives.

Axios reported Sunday that Wall Street Journal opinion writers have criticized the vice president over his leadership style, foreign policy positions, and close relationship with commentator Tucker Carlson, reflecting a broader divide between the GOP’s pre-Trump establishment and the party’s America First wing.

Vance allies counter that the criticism only strengthens his standing with the Republican grassroots.

While Trump’s reported endorsement could reshape the 2028 race, recent polling suggests the Republican contest remains competitive.

An Emerson College poll highlighted by Newsmax found Vance leading the GOP field with 39% support, narrowly ahead of Rubio at 38%, underscoring that the nomination battle remains far from settled despite Vance’s perceived inside track.