{"id":2641567,"date":"2026-08-06T19:59:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T23:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-tips-his-hand-on-his-pick-for-2028-in-closed-door-donor-meeting-report\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T20:04:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T00:04:39","slug":"trump-tips-his-hand-on-his-pick-for-2028-in-closed-door-donor-meeting-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-tips-his-hand-on-his-pick-for-2028-in-closed-door-donor-meeting-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump Tips His Hand on His Pick for 2028 in Closed-Door Donor Meeting: Report"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-tips-his-hand-on-his-pick-for-2028-in-closed-door-donor-meeting-report%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2641567&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>As of August 2026, President Donald Trump&#8217;s endorsement remains highly influential within the Republican Party, providing a significant advantage in GOP primaries. Despite publicly suggesting a contest between J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio for the 2028 presidential race, reports indicate Trump privately favors Vance as his preferred candidate. Both Vance and rubio have downplayed any rivalry and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/russia-begins-evacuating-diplomats-families-from-venezuela\/\" title=\"Russia begins evacuating diplomats&#039; families from Venezuela\">expressed mutual support<\/a>. Vance has actively campaigned, including appearing on various media platforms and promoting his book, while Rubio has supported Vance should he run. Polls show Vance currently leading in hypothetical 2028 primaries, with Trump\u2019s approval ratings around 39.3%, possibly affecting the weight of his endorsement if ratings decline further. Trump maintains a strong record of GOP primary endorsements, though the durability of his influence may depend on his ongoing approval ratings.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>As of August 2026, President Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement still carries substantial weight inside the Republican Party.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, anyone who earns that endorsement enjoys a significant advantage in all GOP primaries.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2026\/08\/06\/trump-tells-donors-we-need-elect-jd-vp-weighs-his-future\/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzg1OTg4ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzg3MzcxMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3ODU5ODg4MDAsImp0aSI6ImJkNjc2OTMyLWM2NmUtNDE2MS05MGJkLTg1YTQwYTNkZDdhNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9wb2xpdGljcy8yMDI2LzA4LzA2L3RydW1wLXRlbGxzLWRvbm9ycy13ZS1uZWVkLWVsZWN0LWpkLXZwLXdlaWdocy1oaXMtZnV0dXJlLyJ9.4XflKCLxr-1BvIv7OgRbszWzTJOMhEZ3q--JI3aOTdE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Washington Post<\/a>, Trump told donors in a private Oval Office meeting late last month that they should rally around Vice President J.D. Vance as the party\u2019s presidential nominee in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the end of the day, we need to elect J.D.,\u201d Trump said in that meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Post cited two anonymous sources \u201cwith knowledge of the comments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, one of the president\u2019s advisers, who knew of the comments to donors, confirmed that Trump has settled on Vance.<\/p>\n<p>If so, then that decision runs counter to the president\u2019s public statements.<\/p>\n<p>Publicly, Trump has touted a contest between Vance and Secretary of State <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/three-lessons-secretary-rubios-rousing-speech-leftist-terrorism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marco Rubio<\/a>, or perhaps even a joint ticket.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think if they ever formed a group, it would be unstoppable,\u201d the president said in a 2025 clip posted to the social media platform X.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">2028 TALK: \u201cI think if they ever formed a group it would be unstoppable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>President Trump backs a potential JD Vance\u2013Marco Rubio ticket for 2028 \u2014but doesn\u2019t quite rule out his own political future. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DsQdCxNwY8\">pic.twitter.com\/DsQdCxNwY8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FoxNews\/status\/1982765547407212613?\">October 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/jd-vance-responds-potential-tension-marco-rubio-2028-presidential-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vance<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/report-rubio-views-vance-2028-gop-frontrunner-plans-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rubio<\/a> have downplayed talk of a budding rivalry. The secretary of state, in fact, has already pledged to support Vance should the vice president choose to run.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, in his capacity as the nation\u2019s top diplomat, Rubio enjoys fewer opportunities to showcase himself publicly.<\/p>\n<p>By contrast, in June the vice president made the rounds on various networks and platforms promoting his new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Communion-Finding-Way-Back-Faith-ebook\/dp\/B0GTQ68YZN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">book<\/a>, \u201cCommunion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On that book tour, for instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-jd-vance-kicks-off-view-appearance-joke-disarms-co-hosts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vance<\/a> appeared in generally hostile settings such as ABC\u2019s \u201cThe View.\u201d There, he used humor to charm the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/jd-vance-says-view-defied-expectations-reveals-joy-behar-told-off-camera\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">anti-Trump co-hosts<\/a> and their liberal audience.<\/p>\n<p>In one stop on that tour, a much friendlier interview with The Daily Wire\u2019s Michael Knowles, the vice president even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-jd-vance-aoc-trade-2028-barbs-speculation-heats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">predicted<\/a> that Democrats would nominate Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York as their 2028 presidential candidate.<\/p>\n<p>Around the same time as his book tour, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-jd-vance-explains-iran-deal-fundamentally-different-obamas-jcpoa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vance<\/a> also made network appearances defending the Iran ceasefire he negotiated.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/president\/republican-primary\/2028\/national\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RealClearPolling\u2019s<\/a> aggregate of polls has consistently shown Vance with a double-digit lead over Rubio in a hypothetical 2028 primary. (The Western Journal\u2019s non-scientific <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wj-straw-poll-rubio-dominates-field-passes-jd-vance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">straw poll<\/a> for the week of July 20-26, however, gave the secretary of state a commanding 26-point lead over the vice president.)<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/approval\/trump-obama-bush-second-term\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RealClearPolling<\/a> has Trump\u2019s job approval at 39.3 percent. That number falls within striking distance of then-President George W. Bush\u2019s approval rating on this date in 2006.<\/p>\n<p>Should Trump\u2019s approval rating continue to plummet, the value of his endorsement will almost certainly do likewise.<\/p>\n<p>For now, however, the president enjoys a strong, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/trump-celebrates-endorsed-candidates-win-key-primaries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nearly unassailable record<\/a> in GOP primary endorsements.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-of-appeals-in-swing-states-drop-major-ruling-hurting-kamala-harris-chances-against-trump\/\" title=\"Court of Appeals in Swing States Drop Major Ruling, Hurting Kamala Harris&#039; Chances Against Trump\">highly engaged readers<\/a>, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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