President Donald Trump has begun informally discussing with advisers who should lead the Republican Party in the 2028 presidential election, according to multiple people familiar with the conversations, Axios claimed.

Trump has been posing a recurring question to confidants: whether Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be the better standard-bearer for the GOP after his presidency, the outlet said.

Vance, whom Trump selected as his running mate, remains the president’s favored choice, according to the sources. He also has a political infrastructure in place that could form the basis of a 2028 campaign. Rubio, by contrast, has not made similar preparations and has indicated he would support Vance if the vice president runs.

“But Trump has notably and increasingly praised Rubio, in public and private, for his rising profile as secretary of state and national security adviser,” said Axios.

In private discussions, Trump has contrasted the two men’s styles, describing Rubio as more diplomatic and Vance as more combative. Several advisers cautioned against interpreting Trump’s questions as diminishing his support for Vance.

“Vance-Rubio is the president’s dream ticket” for 2028 — “and to be clear, that’s Vance on top,” one Trump adviser told the outlet. “But would Trump be happy with a Rubio-Vance ticket? Absolutely.”

Trump’s comments come as Republican officials prepare for the 2026 midterm elections, and at a time when speculation about the party’s leadership after Trump is growing. Vance is expected to play a prominent role in the midterms as finance chair of the Republican National Committee.

Rubio’s current Cabinet roles have kept him in the national spotlight, which aides say could boost his profile relative to Vance, who draws less media attention despite his position as vice president.

Trump has not publicly endorsed a specific successor, and advisers said he continues to frame the discussions as informal.

But Rubio has publicly touted Vance. “If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio told Vanity Fair last year. One source said that Rubio has conveyed to Vance his thoughts on the matter – that is, his continued support for a Vance presidency. Both are good friends from their time together in the Senate and remain so, Axios reported.

Trump last year made clear that Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent because, “in all fairness, he’s the vice president.” He further noted that his preference is for Rubio to “get together with JD.”

Others told Axios that Trump isn’t keen to publicly endorse anyone yet because he wants them to remain focused on their jobs and he doesn’t want to appear as those he’s handing off power.

“Rubio’s twin responsibilities place him at the center of global affairs (as secretary of state) and the White House (as national security adviser),” said Axios. “The vice presidency, by contrast, has no clear portfolio.