Trump insiders reveal he 'isn't sold' yet on his biggest 2028 decision

President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno

President Donald Trump has a massive decision to make for 2028 that could have wide-ranging consequences for the political landscape, but according to a new report from USA Today, he "isn't sold" yet on his available choices.

Despite his earlier musings about pushing for an illegal third term in the White House, Trump is term-limited by the Constitution and will have to leave office after the 2028 election. On his way out, he is expected to endorse a GOP presidential candidate, and given the huge sway he retains over Republican voters, that decision could ultimately decide who secures the nomination.

Even as he becomes more and more unpopular, Vice President JD Vance remains the presumptive favorite for the nomination. Trump, however, has remained mum about his endorsement plans, and he could very well throw the race to someone besides his running mate if he so chose.

Multiple sources who spoke to USA Today for a Sunday morning report indicated that Trump is far from certain about his big 2028 decision, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio being the other major contender vying for his approval.

"In conversations with nearly a dozen sources close to the White House, most of whom requested anonymity to discuss private interactions, allies of the president and vice president said Trump isn’t sold on Vance as his 2028 pick," the report detailed. "The president has been asking those around him what they think of Vance and Rubio, a more seasoned politician who has become one of Trump’s most trusted advisers on international affairs."

It continued: "It’s the ultimate game of 'The Apprentice,' and Trump feels he still has plenty of time to decide, one person close to the White House said. Vance has not said publicly whether he intends to run for higher office. But he’s been seizing the spotlight as he lays the foundation for a potential bid through the promotion of his new book, 'Communion,', 'Communion,' and interviews tied to the Iran peace negotiations. He insists he's focused on helping Republicans win the November midterms and excelling at the vice presidency."

It is reasonable to argue that Trump still has time to consider his endorsement plans. While speculation is perpetual, presidential campaign seasons do not typically kick into gear until, at the earliest, the prior midterms cycle wraps up, with candidates typically waiting a while after that to declare. Trump himself bucked that tradition, declaring almost immediately after the 2022 midterms, but reports suggest that this was mostly part of a plan to help him dodge prosecutions.

"Although the 2028 lineup is far from settled, speculation on the GOP side largely centers around the two highest-ranking Cabinet officials," USA Today continued. "The president is heavily focused on who has the best chance of winning, two people close to the White House said. And he’s looking at Rubio, a former Florida senator and 2016 presidential contender, and wondering if he’d have a better shot than Vance, they said. Vance has long been viewed as more closely aligned with the MAGA base, with Rubio facing suspicions about his work on immigration reform and hawkish record. But the Trump competitor-turned-close-ally has clearly made up ground."

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