Republican Donors Eye Rubio as Leading Contender for 2028 Presidential Bid
A coalition of Republican donors is actively strategizing to elevate Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the party's premier candidate for the 2028 presidential elections, according to recent reports.
Sources indicate that enthusiasm for Rubio's profile within the Trump administration is on the rise. The president frequently lauds him, asserting that he will be remembered as the most effective secretary of state in U.S. history.
While the White House refrained from commenting directly, communications director Steven Cheung remarked that Trump has "assembled an all-star team that has achieved unprecedented success in just over one year," adding that "no amount of crazed media speculation about Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio will deter this Administration's mission of fighting for the American people."
In a separate report, it was revealed that Trump conducted an informal poll among Republican donors at Mar-a-Lago regarding potential successors for 2028 on February 28. Attendees reportedly favored Rubio significantly over Vice President JD Vance.
One attendee described the response as "almost unanimous for Marco," while another estimated donor sentiment at "80-20 Marco."
The gathering, which took place shortly after U.S. and Israeli forces launched attacks on Iran, included around 25 prominent GOP donors, such as Robert Kraft and Georgia businessman Rick Jackson.
During the event, Trump posed a question about whom he should endorse for 2028: Rubio or Vance. According to attendees cited by various sources, the overwhelming response favored Rubio. However, a former Trump administration official cautioned that "the Mar-a-Lago donor crew are not JD people," suggesting that a broader survey of Republican voters might still lean towards Vance.
This exchange signals Trump's intention to remain influential in shaping the Republican landscape for 2028. He has consistently mentioned both Rubio and Vance as potential successors to the MAGA movement, though he has yet to endorse either candidate outright. In an early February interview, Trump expressed his support for both individuals.
"Well, I don't want to get into this. We have three years to go. I don't want to, you know, I have two people that are doing a great job. I don't want to have an argument with, or I don't want to use the word 'fight' — it wouldn't be a fight. But look, JD is fantastic, and Marco is fantastic," he stated at that time.
Nonetheless, a senior Republican operative conveyed to sources that donor opinions may not significantly influence the outcome. "Donors don't pick the nominee; the base picks," the operative asserted.
"Donors attempted to distance themselves from President Trump and favored (Florida Gov. Ron) DeSantis, and we all witnessed how that turned out," the operative concluded.
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