AUSTIN, Texas — Three high-profile White House journalists offered an early look at the Republican field that could emerge to replace President Donald Trump in 2028, naming potential contenders from across the party’s ideological spectrum.
The conversation took place Friday at the Texas Tribune Festival, where Politico White House bureau chief Dasha Burns, NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake and New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman joined a panel on reporting during Trump’s presidency.
Most of the discussion centered on Trump’s current administration. But moderator Annah Aschbrenner of The Washington Post closed the session by asking the journalists to assess how the Republican succession battle might take shape in the next presidential election.
Haake described the GOP as having four potential “lanes.” The first, he said, would belong to a Trump-approved successor emerging from inside the administration — most likely Vice President JD Vance. If Vance declines to run or is otherwise unable to do so, Haake suggested Secretary of State Marco Rubio could become the leading alternative.
A second path, Haake said, could be pursued by Republicans such as Sen. Ted Cruz, who might argue that they tried to steer Trump but were ignored. Such a candidate could point to Trump’s record and approval numbers while insisting that the president rejected their advice. Haake also identified an explicitly anti-Trump lane, potentially represented by a figure such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or outgoing Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon.
For his fourth category, which he labeled a “wild card,” Haake named Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The suggestion prompted audible gasps and groans from the largely liberal festival audience.
Burns expanded that wildcard category to include former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Haake said a fracture within the MAGA movement by 2028 could create an opening for Kennedy Jr. He argued that the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement — which supported Kennedy’s 2024 independent presidential campaign before ultimately backing Trump — might return to its former standard-bearer. In Haake’s view, Kennedy “owns” that constituency more than Trump does.
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Haberman largely agreed, while adding an important caveat: if Vance wants the nomination, he would probably be the favorite. She also noted that the war with Iran could influence Vance’s political prospects and reshape the Republican contest.
Burns did not formally list Donald Trump Jr. as a possible presidential candidate, but she emphasized his considerable standing inside the Republican Party. She told the audience that Vance likely would not have become vice president without Trump Jr.’s support.
“He is still enormously popular among the MAGA crowd,” Burns said, adding that Trump Jr. has a markedly different relationship with the movement than his father does.
Haberman agreed, saying Trump Jr. speaks more directly in the language of conservative activists.
The Politico Playbook co-author also recalled Trump Jr.’s appearances at his father’s campaign rallies. His introductions were often met with such large ovations that Trump would emerge onstage and comment on the enthusiasm for his son.
Burns said Trump Jr. eventually stopped introducing his father because the crowd response became such a notable part of the events.
Burns said Trump Jr. could ultimately help transfer a significant share of Trump’s coalition to Vance, which would strengthen the vice president’s position. She added that the upcoming midterm elections could prove decisive: if Republicans suffer the sweeping losses suggested by current polling and other indicators, she said, the result could dramatically alter the 2028 Republican primary.
Beyond Kennedy Jr. and Gabbard, Burns said many members of Trump’s Cabinet could eventually consider presidential bids. She specifically mentioned Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as another potential Republican contender.
