Donald Trump brought up both J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio during a White House law enforcement dinner in the Rose Garden during National Police Week. There, he casually polled guests about the future of the Republican Party. Both politicians received a noticeable reaction from the crowd. But guess what? Trump brushed past any idea of backing one candidate.
Trump asks crowd to decide between J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio
While speaking to supporters, Donald Trump asked the crowd, “Who likes J.D. Vance?” A little later, he followed it up with, “Who likes Marco Rubio?” Both received loud applause from the audience. Trump, however, reacted to Rubio’s response by calling it “very nice” before mentioning the idea of Rubio and Vance as a possible “dream team.”
Vance joined Trump on the Republican ticket during the 2024 presidential election after previously serving as a senator from Ohio. Before entering politics, he became widely known following the release of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Trump and Vance also weren’t always politically close. Back during the 2016 election cycle, Vance had openly criticized Trump before later supporting him publicly. In a USA Today op-ed, Vance wrote that Trump’s policy ideas ranged from “immoral to absurd.” In the New York Times op-ed, he called Trump “unfit for our nation’s highest office.” He also referred to himself in a 2016 “Charlie Rose” interview as a “Never Trump guy.”
Things eventually changed between them after Trump endorsed Vance during Ohio’s Senate race. Moreover, he also became part of the MAGA political circle. Since then, the two have appeared together regularly at rallies, campaign stops, and political events tied to the administration. Meanwhile, Rubio is also now one of his closest political allies in government. But back in the 2016 Republican primaries, the two were sharp rivals.
The senior Republican leader openly questioned Trump’s business record, immigration stance, and lack of experience. Meanwhile, Trump hit back with personal jabs like calling him “Little Marco.” However, after Trump secured the Republican nomination and later won the presidency, Rubio softened his stance. Now, Trump’s latest comments have got people talking about who could eventually end up leading the Republican ticket in 2028.
Originally reported by Shreya Jha for Mandatory