Media: Rubio emerges as rising 2028 GOP contender in Trump circle

White House insiders and Trump allies increasingly see Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a serious potential 2028 presidential candidate, marking a notable shift for a figure once viewed as sidelined after his 2016 primary defeat, Politico writes.

Rubio’s rise is being driven by two main factors: his close working relationship with President Donald Trump and his high-profile role in shaping aggressive foreign and security policy.

Serving simultaneously as Secretary of State and national security adviser has given him direct access to Trump and influence over key decisions, boosting his visibility inside the West Wing.

Supporters credit him with effective handling of Western Hemisphere operations, including hardline actions against Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and expanded anti-drug trafficking operations. He has also taken a tough stance on immigration, including visa revocations and stricter enforcement policies—positions that align closely with MAGA priorities.

Inside the administration, aides describe Rubio as disciplined, competent, and politically adaptable, successfully recasting his earlier establishment image into one more compatible with Trump-era populism. Some MAGA-aligned figures now openly praise him as a future president.

However, Vice President JD Vance remains the frontrunner in early polling and retains stronger institutional backing, including from major Trump allies. Surveys show Vance still leads Rubio, though Rubio has gained ground.

Key constraints remain: Trump has not endorsed a successor, Rubio has said he would not challenge Vance, and any 2028 path would likely depend on Trump’s eventual blessing.

Some conservative strategists also question whether Rubio’s blend of establishment experience and MAGA alignment can fully energize the populist base.

For now, Rubio is seen less as a declared candidate and more as a rapidly rising alternative within Trump’s inner circle—one whose future hinges on Trump’s ultimate choice.

By Aghakazim Guliyev