Donald Trump Jr. wasted no time shutting down rumors that he’s eyeing a 2028 presidential run, firing back at Mediate after the outlet published a story claiming he was “seriously” considering a bid. In classic Trump fashion, he didn’t just deny the report—he torched it.
The Mediate piece, which cited “three high-level sources,” suggested that Trump Jr. had been consulting advisors about a potential White House run. But according to Trump Jr., the idea isn’t just false—it’s downright ridiculous.
His response? A brutal takedown of the report and a full-throated endorsement of Vice President J.D. Vance.
“I accurately predicted that my buddy JD would be an instant power player in national GOP politics, so your theory is that I worked my a* off to help get him the VP nomination because I want to run for president in 2028? Are you f**ing retarded?” Trump Jr. wrote in an X post.
That’s about as blunt a denial as you’re going to get.
Trump Jr. went on to mock Mediate’s reporting, calling their sources unreliable and the journalists “morons” for running with such a flimsy claim. And he has a point—Trump Jr. has never indicated he’s interested in running for office, and all signs suggest his focus is on ensuring his father’s policies continue through Vance in 2028, not launching his own campaign.
J.D. Vance: The 2028 Frontrunner
While the media speculates about who will take the torch after Trump, the conservative base has already made its choice. At CPAC’s presidential straw poll—one of the most reliable indicators of Republican grassroots sentiment—Vance dominated.
Vance pulled in a staggering 61% of the vote, obliterating every other potential contender. The closest competitor? Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who took just 12%—despite giving no indication he’d even consider running. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, once seen as a rising GOP star, sank to just 5%, a clear sign that his failed 2024 campaign left a sour taste with voters.
For those paying attention, none of this should be surprising. Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were two of the strongest voices behind Vance’s selection as VP, recognizing early on that he had the intelligence, populist instincts, and ability to connect with the MAGA base that many other Republicans lacked.
And now? It’s paying off. Vance isn’t just Vice President—he’s the clear leader of the post-Trump GOP.
