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Trump Mulls Endorsement as Vance Leads Rubio 36 Points

8/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump told donors two weeks ago that “we need to elect JD Vance,” and said he could endorse either JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Advisers say his preference remains unsettled.
JD Vance has not announced a run, will wait until after his fourth child’s July 19 birth, leads Marco Rubio by 36 points in a straw poll, and is finance chair with $128 million cash.

History

Historical Context

In the 2008 GOP primary, John McCain secured the nomination after winning key endorsements—California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Texas Governor Rick Perry on Jan 31, 2008—and amassing 1,378 pledged delegates, well above the 1,191 needed to clinch the nomination by early March. His late-stage coalition-building mirrors Donald Trump’s current indecisive backing of JD Vance and Marco Rubio, forcing donors to hedge bets.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump told donors two weeks ago that “we need to elect JD Vance,” and said he could endorse either JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Advisers say his preference remains unsettled.
JD Vance has not announced a run, will wait until after his fourth child’s July 19 birth, leads Marco Rubio by 36 points in a straw poll, and is finance chair with $128 million cash.

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