A group of Republican donors who support Secretary of State Marco Rubio has quietly begun discussing strategies to elevate his political standing ahead of the 2028 presidential election, according to multiple sources. These discussions have sparked an emerging behind-the-scenes effort to position Rubio for a potential “draft Rubio” campaign following the midterms.
The conversations, sources say, are driven by donors and surrogates backing Rubio rather than the secretary himself, indicating growing enthusiasm within Trump-aligned circles for his profile inside the administration. However, recent presidential elections have shown that donor support does not always translate into political success.
A senior Republican operative noted: “Donors don’t pick the nominee — the base picks.” The operative added that past attempts by donors to abandon President Trump and select Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a candidate resulted in disappointment.
Rubio’s profile has significantly increased since the war against Iran began. He emerged as a leading communicator of the operation alongside War Secretary Pete Hegseth. When President Donald Trump authorized a sweeping military attack on Iran, Rubio was not in Washington — he had already arrived at Mar-a-Lago to monitor the first hours of Operation Epic Fury with the president.
Vice President JD Vance, who previously appeared as the MAGA heir apparent for 2028, was also present in the Situation Room during the strikes. The two were connected by a conference call line with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Vance’s spokesperson stated that he remained in Washington to maintain operational secrecy and adhere to security protocols limiting presidential co-location away from the White House.
Throughout the early days of the conflict, Rubio maintained a highly visible role, staying by Trump’s side at Mar-a-Lago. This presence has fueled speculation about his rising political stock.
However, Rubio’s elevated profile could face challenges as early polling indicates widespread public disapproval of the Iran strikes. According to an Ipsos poll, only 29% of Americans support the strikes, while 43% disapprove and 26% remain uncertain. The same survey reveals that 64% believe Trump has not clearly explained the war’s objective.
Administration advisers have expressed frustration with Vance’s connections to critics of the Iran war, including commentator Tucker Carlson. As a result, some officials have grown closer to Rubio, viewing him as a more versatile leader across multiple fronts.
While some GOP donors aligned with Rubio are quietly planning for a 2028 bid, the secretary faces significant hurdles from Vice President Vance. The vice president has spent years consolidating support within Trump’s Republican Party, securing backing from influential figures including Donald Trump Jr., and Tucker Carlson. Additionally, Vance maintains strong ties to major tech donors such as billionaire Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, and has been endorsed by Turning Point USA, the organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
