Updated – February 18, 2026 06:57 am IST – Washington, DC
US Vice President JD Vance. file | Photo credit: Reuters
US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday (Feb 17, 2026) said there was “no conflict” between himself and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who some speculated would be the front-runner for the 2028 election.
“I think it’s very interesting that the media wants to create this conflict where there isn’t any,” Mr. Vance said in an interview with the conservative broadcaster. Fox News.
Although Donald Trump’s presidency is only a year away, White House campaigns are often launched far in advance of the election — subjecting potential candidates to endless speculation before announcing their intentions.
Mr Trump was asked on Monday (Feb 16, 2026) about Mr Rubio and Mr Vance, saying “I don’t have to worry” about who is going to replace him.
“I have three years,” Mr. Trump said. “They are both wonderful.”
Another time-honored tradition in American politics is that presidential hopefuls shy away from speculation that they intend to eventually run for the nation’s highest office.
Also Read: Trump names Vance, Rubio as possible successors, opposes third term run
“I asked the American people to give me this job that I have now,” Mr. Vance said.
“Why not do as good a job as I can at this job? We’ll worry about the next job sometime in the future,” he added.
Mr. Rubio, for his part, told the magazine Vanity Fair In December, Mr. If Vance were to run for president, “he would be our nominee and I would be one of the first people to support him.”
According to Washington Examineranother conservative outlet, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Vance are replacing White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt when she goes on maternity leave later this year.
As the two heavy hitters in the Trump administration took turns addressing the press, political observers compared the pair — despite claims Mr. Rubio and Mr. Vance were not personally paying attention.
Published – February 18, 2026 06:42 am IST
