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Trump Avoids Endorsing Vance for 2028 Presidency
Confirmed
In Short: The publications agree that Vance and Trump are maintaining a cautious approach to endorsing each other for the 2028 presidency, focusing on the midterms and avoiding involvement in foreign elections.
President Donald Trump, speaking in the Oval Office, dodged a question about endorsing Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 presidency, stating it was too early to make such a decision. PBS reported that Trump said, 'It's early, very early right now. We have to get through the midterms. We'll see how it goes.'
In an interview with journalist Mark Halperin, Vance echoed Trump's sentiment, saying, 'I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on the midterms.' This was reported by Kesq and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia).
While both Trump and Vance avoided committing to an endorsement, they did not rule out the possibility in the future. PBS noted that Vance told Halperin he still hasn't decided about running for president but expects Trump would back him if he does.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that Vance has become a symbol of growing discontent within the Republican party over Washington's unconditional support for Israel. Vance has distanced himself from Trump's endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, 'I’m not getting involved in the Israeli elections.'
Despite Vance's reluctance to endorse Netanyahu, Trump offered his 'Complete and Total Endorsement' of the Israeli leader on social media, arguing that replacing Netanyahu would shift more responsibility for confronting Iran onto the US.
The publications agree that both Trump and Vance are avoiding definitive statements about Vance's potential candidacy for the 2028 presidency, focusing instead on the upcoming midterm elections.
While Vance has distanced himself from Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu, he has not ruled out running for president in 2028, leaving the door open for a potential endorsement from Trump in the future.
Trump and Vance's cautious approach to endorsing each other highlights the political complexities and uncertainties surrounding the 2028 presidential race.
In April, Vance campaigned in Budapest alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and in February 2025, he met with the leader of Germany’s far-right AfD, further complicating his political stance.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday that state authorities secured an arrest warrant for former Cuban President Raul Castro, charging him with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft that killed four men.
Vance's comments follow Trump's public show of support for Netanyahu, indicating a divergence in their political strategies, particularly regarding international endorsements.
The publications agree that Vance and Trump are maintaining a cautious approach to endorsing each other for the 2028 presidency, focusing on the midterms and avoiding involvement in foreign elections.
What this adds
The sources have not established a definitive timeline for when Trump and Vance might reconsider their endorsement stance.
What's confirmed
- Trump said of Vance, who was standing behind him.
- “I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterm,” Vance said in an interview with journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two.
- “The president has the most influential endorsement in American or international political history,” he told journalist Mark Halperin on Air Force Two.
- Days before Israel heads to the polls, Trump threw his “complete and total endorsement” behind Netanyahu, whom he hailed as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and an “even greater partner” in confronting Iran.
- “I’m not anti-endorsing him; I’m not pro-endorsing him."
- “If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” Trump wrote.
- “I’m not getting involved in the Israeli elections.” “I endorse American candidates,” the vice president added, noting that he is focused on the U.S.
What's still developing
- He called Vance "a very talented person" and "a very good person," but said it was too soon to talk about the future.
- "I don't think we've ever talked about it. You know, who would believe that?"
- Watch Trump's full remarks in the Oval Office in the video below.
- Trump on Sunday issued a public endorsement of his right-wing ally Netanyahu, who is seeking a new term as premier in Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election.
- Vance, who is widely viewed as aiming to succeed Trump in 2029, reportedly expressed opposition to launching the US-Israeli war with Iran, but has since defended the campaign.
- Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee welcomed the arrest of 10 suspects Monday after what he called a “despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.” Levine remains in the hospital.