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Outgoing U.S. Senator and former 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has predicted that JD Vance will be the Republican Party’s nominee for president in 2028. Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper, Romney shared his belief that Vance, currently the Vice President-elect, will be the future face of the GOP after President-elect Donald Trump finishes his second and final term.
"If you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028 — I think it will be JD Vance, alright?" Romney stated confidently. "He's smart, well spoken, part of the MAGA movement," he added.
Tapper reminded Romney of his previous harsh criticism of Vance. Back in 2021, Romney famously said, "I don't know that I can disrespect someone more than JD Vance," referring to Vance’s dramatic shift from being a Trump critic to one of his most loyal supporters. However, Romney brushed off the past comments as being from "long ago," noting that he and Vance have since worked together in the Senate.
Unlike Vance, Romney remains one of the most vocal critics of Donald Trump within the Republican Party. He notably voted to impeach Trump twice and did not support him in the 2016, 2020, or 2024 presidential elections. Despite this, Romney acknowledged the undeniable influence that Trump holds over the Republican Party.
"MAGA is the Republican Party, and Donald Trump is the Republican Party," Romney declared, signaling a recognition of Trump’s lasting impact on GOP politics. He further reflected on Trump's dominance within the party, noting that Trump has held firm control over the GOP for nearly a decade.
Romney explained that Trump's appeal to working-class voters has been transformative for the Republican Party. He argued that Democrats have failed to maintain support among blue-collar voters, pointing out that their cultural views have driven away this key voting bloc. "Democrats are in trouble," Romney said. "I don't know how they recover."
When asked what lessons he’s taking from the most recent election, Romney was candid. "Donald Trump won. He won overwhelmingly," he said. "He said what he was going to do and that's what he's doing." Romney continued, "You can't complain about someone who does what he said he was going to do. I agree with him on a lot of policy fronts. I disagree with him on some things, but it's like, ok, give him a chance to do what he said he was going to do and see how it works out."
While Romney sees JD Vance as the Republican Party's next big contender, Trump himself has a different perspective. In a recent interview with Time Magazine, Trump said that his children could continue his political legacy.
When asked if there could be a "Trump family dynasty," Trump replied, "I think there could be, yeah." He highlighted his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., as a potential leader, stating that "he would do very well" in politics. Trump also mentioned his son Eric Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump, and daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
Notably, Donald Trump Jr. has remained one of the most politically active members of the Trump family. Earlier this year, he publicly supported JD Vance as a potential running mate for Trump in 2024. Trump Jr.'s influence within the MAGA movement has only grown, making him a potential contender for the GOP’s future leadership.
According to a recent Morning Consult poll, both JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. are tied as the leading candidates for the 2028 GOP presidential primary, with each receiving the support of 30% of primary voters. This split reflects a possible future showdown between the Trump political dynasty and JD Vance, a rising star within the MAGA movement.
As Trump’s presidency approaches its second term, all eyes are on what comes next for the Republican Party.
Romney’s prediction of Vance as the 2028 nominee highlights the lasting impact of Trump’s influence and the ongoing battle for leadership within the GOP.
