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By Gabe Whisnant
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Donald Trump Jr. blasted a story with unnamed sources that says he is "seriously" considering a run for president in 2028.
In a story published Thursday, Mediaite, a news website that covers the intersection of media and politics, said it spoke to "three high-level sources" that suggested President Donald Trump's eldest son could seek the Republican nomination.
In response, Trump Jr. vehemently denied the reporting in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He wrote in favor of his father's vice president, JD Vance, as a potential 2028 GOP successor.
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Trump Jr. posted, "I accurately predicted that my buddy JD would be an instant power player in national GOP politics, so your theory is that I worked my [expletive] off to help get him the VP nomination because I want to run for president in 2028? Are you [expletive] retarded? I'm actually glad you're printing this [expletive] though because at least now the rest of the press corps will see how [expletive] your "sources" are and how easily you're played by them. Congrats, moron."
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Why It Matters
President Donald Trump, aged 78, is constitutionally prohibited from serving a third White House term, meaning the Republicans will need to find a new presidential candidate for 2028, unless a long shot bid to amend the constitution is successful.
Star Sports is offering odds of 25/1 (3.8 percent) on the current president's eldest son being elected to the White House in 2028, placing him behind only vice president JD Vance and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in probability among Republicans.
What To Know
Mediaite's sources reportedly told the outlet that Trump Jr. has been actively engaging with political allies and donors to gauge support for a potential campaign. This development would position him among other prominent Republicans potentially eyeing the 2028 nomination, including Vance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Last month, President Trump said in his Super Bowl interview that it's "too early" to endorse Vance as his Republican successor.
When Fox News's Bret Baier asked if he views Vance as his "successor" and the Republican nominee in 2028, Trump said, "No, but he's very capable. I think you have a lot of very capable people."
"So far, I think he's doing a fantastic job. It's too early, we're just starting," Trump added.
Throughout his father's presidency, Trump Jr. emerged as a significant figure within the Republican Party, known for his outspoken advocacy and strong presence on social media. He played a pivotal role in the 2024 election cycle, campaigning vigorously for Republican candidates and maintaining close ties with the party's base.
One notable moment was his active participation in the Madison Square Garden rally on October 27, 2024. Sharing the stage with prominent figures like Elon Musk, Rudy Giuliani, and Tucker Carlson, Trump Jr. delivered a speech that energized the crowd and reinforced the campaign's key messages. The event, held just days before the election, was characterized by its high-profile attendees and the fervent support of the MAGA base.
What People Are Saying
Speaking to Newsweek Star Sports political betting analyst William Kedjanyi said: "Donald Trump Jr was 66/1 to become the next U.S. President when we opened the market for the 2028 Election, and has now come all the way into 25/1. A recent GOP poll placed Don Jr behind only current vice president JD Vance as the preferred candidate to run as the Republican nominee in 2028 and replace his father in the White House."
Kedjanyi continued: "The President's eldest son has already been active in the public eye during Trump's second term, heading to Greenland last month to drum up support for U.S. control of the Danish territory, and appears to be increasing his prominence ahead of a potential run for office. Any endorsement from Trump for either Vance or his son would of course have a huge impact on the market."
Baier described Trump's Super Bowl interview answer as "shocking" when discussing the interview on Fox News, just hours before the full interview aired: "I think it was a little shocking when he said no. I wasn't expecting that, but you know, following up, once you get to the midterms, you start to think about 2028, and one would think JD Vance is going to be position for that role," Baier said. "But clearly, the president isn't ready to talk about that or think about it, and said there are other people that may get in the mix."
Kristen Soltis Anderson, writing in The New York Times: "While it is understandable that Mr. Trump is focused on the here and now, not what comes after his presidency, it is hardly too early to see the obvious. Mr. Vance is the natural inheritor of the movement Mr. Trump has built, with a keen grasp on what binds many of Mr. Trump's supporters—especially his younger supporters—to him, both in style and in substance.
"As a younger American who also happens to be vice president, Mr. Vance has been able to fuse parts of Mr. Trump's stylistic approach and policy agenda with a sense of the future that is likely to have appeal and staying power with the next generation of Republican voters.
"Mr. Vance has displayed much of what Mr. Trump's core supporters love today—a thirst for combat, an indifference to criticism, a populist posture—with a clear ability to evolve into what the Republican Party will want after Mr. Trump leaves the stage."
What Happens Next
The 2028 GOP presidential primary will be an open field, setting up the possibility for any of the potential candidates to launch their own White House bid with or without Trump's endorsement.
Update: 3/7/25, 3:37 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 3/7/25, 3:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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