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US President Donald Trump has named Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio among the potential Republican contenders for the 2028 presidential election, declaring that his party has a strong pool of candidates while accusing Democrats of lacking comparable talent.
In an interview with FOX 2’s Roop Raj ahead of a rally in Michigan, Trump stopped short of endorsing a clear favourite but suggested that the Republicans were well positioned for the next presidential race.
“I could tell you who I think, but it’s a little bit early,” Trump said when asked who might launch a White House bid in 2028.
“We have great names — you have JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and many others. We have a great bench; they (Democrats) have no bench,” he added.
Trump’s comments offer an early indication of the figures he sees as potential successors, even as his administration faces mounting political and economic challenges ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Trump defends Iran strikes, says nuclear capability ‘is gone’
Trump also defended the US military campaign against Iran, claiming that American strikes had destroyed the country’s nuclear capabilities and arguing that pre-emptive action was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
“You want to see problems? You want to see not only energy problems, but death problems? Let them have a nuclear weapon, because they would use it. And I have to do that first,” he told FOX 2’s Roop Raj.
Trump maintained that the strikes had inflicted far greater damage than initially anticipated.
“I knew when I did it, we blew the hell out of their nuclear capacity, you know that, and far greater than anyone even thought. It’s gone,” he said.
The president’s remarks underline his administration’s justification for military action as a measure to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, despite concerns about the wider consequences of the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said Tehran’s policies would remain unchanged regardless of whether another war breaks out. He warned that further military action against Iran would be irrational, according to Iranian news agency ISNA.
Trump claims oil flows through Strait of Hormuz exceed pre-war levels
The US president also sought to reassure the public about the conflict’s impact on global energy supplies, claiming that oil shipments through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz had surpassed pre-war levels.
Trump attributed the increase to the US naval blockade and the performance of the American military.
“I knew that that was going to raise the prices a little bit. Now, if you take a look, the oil, just on the front page of The Wall Street Journal yesterday, oil coming out of the Strait of Hormuz is now topping what—what it was before the war, because we have a blockade and it’s been our military, but our Navy has been incredible,” he said.
“We have a naval blockade, and we have more oil coming right now out of the Strait of Hormuz than it was before the war started,” he added.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for international oil shipments, making any disruption there a major concern for energy-importing countries and global markets. Trump’s assertion, however, was presented as his own assessment of current oil flows.
Trump says US will not be held hostage by Russia-Ukraine war
Before departing for the Michigan rally, Trump also addressed the energy implications of the Russia-Ukraine war, reiterating that the US would not allow the conflict to undermine global energy security.
“We’re not going to be hostage with the oil industry over something that, frankly, should’ve never started,” he said, maintaining that the war could have been prevented.
His comments reflect the administration’s broader focus on energy prices and supply security as geopolitical conflicts continue to affect international markets.
November 3 midterms pose crucial test for Trump
Trump’s remarks come ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of both chambers of the US Congress and influence the remainder of his presidency.
The elections are held halfway through a president’s four-year term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate’s seats are being contested, making the vote a significant test of public support for the administration.
A Republican victory would strengthen Trump’s ability to advance his legislative agenda, while gains by Democrats could constrain his administration and shift the balance of power in Washington.
The political stakes are heightened by economic concerns and falling approval ratings. A Wall Street Journal poll published in September put Trump’s approval rating at 37%, a low for a president heading into midterm elections in the publication’s polling history, which dates back to 1990.
Against this backdrop, Trump’s comments on potential Republican successors, military action against Iran and energy security address three issues likely to shape the political debate: the future of the Republican Party, the consequences of US foreign policy and the administration’s handling of the economy.
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