U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in Monday on who might lead the Republican Party after he leaves office, naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance as top contenders for the 2028 presidential nomination.
But he kept the door open to … himself.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Japan, Trump responded to suggestions that he should seek an unconstitutional third term, an idea recently floated by former White House strategist Steve Bannon.
“I would love to do it — I have the best numbers ever,” Trump said when asked about Bannon’s comments.
Trump, however, went on to add that he “hasn’t really thought about” running again. “We have some really good people,” he said.
When pressed to name names, Trump gestured toward Rubio, who had walked back to the press cabin to speak with reporters. “We have great people — I don’t need to get into that. One of them is standing right here,” Trump said.
He went on to praise his vice president, Vance, who has taken a prominent role in the administration on a range of domestic and national security issues.
“Obviously JD is great. The vice president is great,” Trump said. “I’m not sure anyone would run against those two.”
Bannon has been among the most vocal of those pushing for Trump to try for a third term.
“There is a plan,” he said in a recent podcast, suggesting that Trump could make another run despite constitutional limits preventing him.