How JD Vance won Trump over to become MAGA's undisputed heir for 2028

US Vice President JD Vance has emerged as the strongest contender to inherit Donald Trump's political movement, with senior advisers saying the President now views him as the undisputed frontrunner to carry the MAGA banner into the 2028 presidential race.

A series of high-profile moments over the past few months has changed Vance's standing inside the White House. His role in helping advance the US-Iran peace initiative, an aggressive media campaign, a bestselling new book and growing popularity among Republican voters have all strengthened his position within Trump's inner circle.

According to Axios, Trump is no longer weighing Vance against other potential successors such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Instead, advisers say the president has become increasingly confident that his Vice President is proving himself as the natural heir to the MAGA movement.

TRUMP'S VIEW OF VANCE HAS CHANGED

For months, Trump reportedly compared Vance and Rubio in conversations with advisers, often asking who would make the stronger Republican nominee in 2028.

That discussion has now largely disappeared.

"POTUS isn't asking, 'JD or Marco?' anymore," one insider told Axios.

"He's no longer asking, 'How's JD doing?' He's now saying, 'JD looks great, right?'"

Another senior Trump adviser said Vance had earned the President's trust.

"JD is earning it, and Trump sees it," the adviser said, adding that Rubio "wasn't planning to run anyway, and he'd be even less likely to do so now."

IRAN DIPLOMACY BECAME A TURNING POINT

Several White House officials believe the defining moment came in mid-June, when Vance joined presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in helping broker the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

The agreement marked the first major diplomatic breakthrough after months of conflict in the Middle East and significantly raised Vance's profile inside the administration.

The timing also worked in his favour.

Just a day before the agreement, Vance released his new book, Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.

Already scheduled to promote the book across the country, Vance suddenly found himself discussing both his memoir and his role in one of the administration's biggest foreign policy achievements.

MEDIA PUSH HELPED BOOST HIS PROFILE

Throughout June, Vance maintained an unusually busy media schedule. According to Axios, he gave 33 interviews across television, podcasts and press briefings.

Vance appeared everywhere throughout June, from conservative podcasts and White House press briefings to interviews on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher and ABC's The View. Trump may not be a regular viewer of The View, but advisers said clips of Vance's appearance quickly made their way to the President, who was reportedly impressed by what he saw.

"He doesn't watch 'The View.' But he saw the clips and loved what he saw," one adviser said.

The media strategy helped present Vance as one of the administration's most visible defenders during a period dominated by debates over Iran, NATO and US foreign policy.

BUILDING A 2028 CAMPAIGN

Away from Washington, Vance has also been strengthening his political organisation. He has become a major fundraiser for the Republican Committee and has reportedly helped raise about $70 million.

That donor network would likely become a major advantage if he launches a presidential campaign.

Polling also shows Vance's support among Republican voters remains strong.

While his overall approval ratings among Americans remain below water, his net favourability among Republicans stands at 62 per cent, according to Navigator Research. That places him just behind Trump's 65 per cent rating and well ahead of Rubio's 51 per cent.

Several national and early-state polls also place Vance ahead of other potential Republican contenders.

NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD

Despite his influence, Vance continues to face criticism from different corners of the conservative movement. His support for diplomacy with Iran and recent criticism of some right-wing Israeli politicians have drawn objections from pro-Israel conservatives, some of whom would prefer Rubio to become Trump's successor.

His economic views have also come under scrutiny.

Another potential challenge involves conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, a close ally of Vance who has become increasingly critical of Trump.

"So far, Tucker isn't a problem. But it could be if Trump tells JD to distance himself from him," another Trump adviser said.

RUBIO REMAINS ON THE SIDELINES

Although Rubio is still regarded as one of the Republican Party's most influential figures, those close to him insist he has little interest in mounting a White House campaign.

Unlike Vance, Rubio has not built the campaign infrastructure typically needed for a national run.

"Marco doesn't have pipe hitters. Vance does," one Rubio ally said.

For now, those close to Trump say the president increasingly sees Vance as the person best placed to carry the MAGA movement forward. If that view holds, the Vice President enters the 2028 race as the clear favourite to become the Republican Party's next standard-bearer.

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