President Donald Trump declined to name JD Vance as his political heir during an interview in the Oval Office on Monday 18 May, telling Fortune he could not say who should carry his legacy into 2028. According to reporting relayed by The Daily Beast, Vance was later seen standing at the back of the room while Trump gave his answer.
JD Vance, 41, is Trump's vice president and one of the Republicans most often mentioned as a likely contender once Trump leaves office. The succession question was put directly to Trump, with Donald Trump Jr, JD Vance and Florida senator Marco Rubio all presented as possible choices. His response did not amount to an endorsement for any of them.