Republicans Start Planning for 2028: Can JD Vance Inherit the Post‑Trump GOP?

The 2028 presidential contest feels far off in political terms, and predicting the conversation three years from now — especially in the unpredictable Trump era — is risky. Still, the race will present voters with fresh choices on both the right and the left, and likely without a Trump, Clinton or Bush on the ballot.

Roughly half of Americans told a CNN poll that the 2028 contest is at least somewhat on their minds. At Turning Point USA’s recent AmericaFest in Arizona, conservative activists offered visible support for Vice President JD Vance even though he has not declared a campaign.

If Vance runs, he would face the twin challenges of holding together the coalition President Donald Trump assembled and fending off ambitious Republicans who see an opening in the post‑Trump era.

Interview: Where the GOP Goes Next

I spoke by phone with CNN’s Eric Bradner, who covers the Republican Party, about the current dynamics, likely 2028 contenders and the party’s ideological crossroads. Our conversation was edited for clarity.

WOLF: Democrats will likely have an open field in 2028. What do Republicans have?

BRADNER: Republicans have a sitting vice president — JD Vance — who increasingly looks like the early front‑runner. Vance has said he won’t make a move until after next year’s midterms and plans to consult with President Trump about the 2028 picture. If he decides to run, his timeline is likely at least a year away. For now, many Republicans appear to be waiting on him, and some prominent figures may defer.

WOLF: Could two Trump allies challenge each other or appear on the same ticket — for example a Vance‑Rubio pairing?

BRADNER: It’s notable that key players haven’t dismissed the possibility. Marco Rubio has said he would support a Vance run, and the idea of a unified ticket has been floated. Rubio is a credible candidate with prior presidential experience, but he hasn’t shown interest in taking on the sitting vice president at this stage. These dynamics are fluid; Cabinet members or other officials could leave later and test the field.

WOLF: Historically, vice presidents rarely move directly into the presidency. How would Vance navigate that obstacle?

BRADNER: It’s complicated. As vice president, Vance would be tied to the administration’s record and would have limited room to publicly distance himself from Trump without risking political consequences. Other potential contenders — senators or governors — can carve out independent identities by criticizing specific policies or staking out distinct priorities. Vance will likely need to find subtle ways to show independence in persona and emphasis, even if he avoids open policy breaks.

WOLF: Who outside the White House looks like the most viable challenger?

BRADNER: Prior presidential experience helps. Ron DeSantis and Ted Cruz, for example, already have name recognition and early‑state networks. DeSantis struggled in 2024 but could rebound if he finds political openings, such as state policy wins. Cruz and senators like Josh Hawley and Rand Paul can appeal to different GOP constituencies — Cruz to conservative activists, Hawley to social conservatives, Paul to libertarians. Each has strengths and liabilities, and much will depend on political conditions closer to 2028.

WOLF: Are moderates in the mix, or will the party stay in a conservative/MAGA lane?

BRADNER: Internal disputes are being managed quietly while the party holds the White House. Some figures on the periphery — Nikki Haley, for example — remain active in policy debates and could resurface. But the broader question is whether the GOP will re‑embrace traditional conservative orthodoxies, continue in a MAGA direction, or settle somewhere in between. That sorting may take years and likely won’t be settled by 2028.

WOLF: What early signals will you watch from potential candidates?

BRADNER: Pay attention to cabinet departures after the midterms — those moves often precede presidential runs. Book deals and policy initiatives that let officials carve out distinctive territory are also telling. Watch state policy fights, public feuds with media figures, and the endorsements of advocacy groups: those actions can reveal who’s preparing for a national bid.

WOLF: Trump has a uniquely loyal following. Do any Republican figures today bring that same kind of base?

BRADNER: Very few. That makes 2028 fascinating and unpredictable. Many assume JD Vance could inherit the MAGA movement, but building a similarly devoted following is difficult. Current polls offer limited insight: whether anyone can assemble a movement like Trump’s — and on what issues — remains uncertain.

For context on the Democratic side, see a separate conversation with CNN’s Edward‑Isaac Dovere.