A year ago, Vice President JD Vance appeared poised to succeed President Donald Trump as the MAGA heir for 2028, enjoying strong Republican support and backing from Trump’s family.

While Vance remains well-positioned, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has risen in prominence, particularly due to his role in the war with Iran.

Trump and some of his closest allies have praised Rubio’s popularity and effectiveness, with the president lauding him publicly and privately as potentially “the greatest secretary of state in history.”

Trump has not formally endorsed either Vance or Rubio as his preferred successor, instead suggesting they could run together on a joint ticket, ABC News has reported.

Privately, he has asked allies and donors whom they would prefer at the top of the ticket, framing the choice as “Marco or JD?”