American President Donald Trump avoided a direct answer to a question about his successor in the 2028 presidential election, saying that it is too early to discuss such issues.
In an interview with NewsNation, Trump was asked if there was a candidate from the Republican Party who could become a future presidential candidate and continue the work started by Trump. “We have a great bench, we have some very talented people“, the president replied. He admitted that he has favorites among the candidates for a successor, but noted that it is “very early“ to talk about them.
Among the officials in his administration whose performance he is pleased with, Trump named Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem and Thomas Homan, who is responsible for border security and the deportation of illegal immigrants. “I can name 20 phenomenal names“, the American leader concluded.
US Vice President J.D. Vance is currently considered Trump's successor and the Republican with the best chance of being nominated as the party's presidential candidate in the next election. Last November, he said he was not yet considering a presidential run, but would be open to discussing it with Trump after the 2026 midterm elections. Rubio is considered one of Vance's most influential potential rivals, having previously said he considered Vance the most likely Republican presidential nominee.
Donald Trump, who survived two assassination attempts in 2024, said he was not worried about his safety.
“I'm not worried about it. We have great people, they're in great shape. I think the Secret Service is doing a great job, the military is doing a great job,“ he said.
“One thing I know for sure: if something happens, the person who did it is going to be gone,“ the American leader added. He called the presidency “the most dangerous job in the world.”
Trump has survived two assassination attempts in 2024. The first came at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, when a sniper’s bullet grazed his ear. The second time, a radical and supporter of Ukraine aid opened fire near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in September.