Donald Trump’s children have entered the 2028 succession conversation as some Washington circles begin debating who could inherit the Republican Party’s MAGA mantle.
Several names have surfaced, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and broadcaster Tucker Carlson. However, one political commentator has suggested that the next GOP standard-bearer could still carry the Trump name.
The speculation comes as the president’s approval rating on key issues, including foreign policy and the economy, has reportedly taken a hit amid the war with Iran.
Donald Trump’s GOP Succession Battle Begins
As Trump approaches the midway point of his second term, the question already hanging over Republicans is who will succeed him.
Vance remains the supposed heir apparent, but his nomination prospects and “America First” brand may have been complicated by Trump’s war in Iran. Rubio’s name has also surfaced, but he, too, could face a snag on his path to the nomination.
Another name that has come to the fore is broadcaster Tucker Carlson, though his recent standoff with Trump may make a potential nomination seem unlikely before it even begins. Carlson recently said he regrets supporting the president’s reelection and is “tormented” by it, per The Guardian.
Trump’s Kids Enter Succession Conversation
Enter the next generation of Trumps: the billionaire politician’s children with his late ex-wife, Ivana Trump.
Political commentator Matt Lewis wrote in the Los Angeles Times that the possibility of one of Trump’s children succeeding him now seems likelier than ever, given the current state of the Republican Party.
For one, Donald Trump Jr. has already followed in his father’s political footsteps, having served as an adviser during Trump’s first term.
The commentator then quoted Sarah Baxter, who recently said, “Like Logan Roy, the patriarch in the television drama ‘Succession,’ Trump loves playing his children off against each other.”
Based on Baxter’s assessment, Lewis wrote that there is also a possibility that another Trump child could be anointed to lead the pack. Eric Trump, for instance, told a journalist last year, “I think I could do it. And by the way, I think other members of our family could do it too.”
Donald Trump’s Family Fortune Also Fuels Succession Talk
Elsewhere in his remarks, Lewis seemingly offered one answer to the question of why Trump, or any of his children, would want to cement the family’s status as a political dynasty.
According to the journalist, one major reason is that the Trump family is making significant money across several business ventures. A potential presidency by one of his children, he suggested, could help ensure that the cash continues to flow.
Although Lewis noted that the obvious choice would be to stick with Vance, he suggested the “smart money” move may be to look closer to home.
Trump’s Poll Numbers Take A Major Hit
Ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump has seen his approval rating take a nosedive, with the war in Iran appearing to fuel growing voter dissatisfaction.
A recent Washington Post-ABC News Ipsos poll showed that many Americans are unhappy with how the president has handled Iran, as well as other key issues, including the economy and inflation. The poll found that disapproval of his handling of the Iran war stood at 66%, while 33% approved.
Trump’s rating of the economy also declined by 7 points, to 34%, amid surging gas prices. Overall, 65% of Americans disapproved of his handling of the economy, compared with 34% who approved. His overall job approval stood at 37%, while his disapproval rating climbed to 62%, according to the poll.
Donald Trump Faces Fresh Fallout From Pope Leo Spat
The polling slump comes amid Trump’s recent public spat with Pope Leo XIV, whom he accused of supporting nuclear weapons in Iran.
During a recent appearance on “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” Trump claimed the pope “would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
“I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people, but I guess, if it’s up to the pope,” Trump said, per The Independent. “He thinks it’s just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
However, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for a world free of nuclear threats and has pushed for an end to the war in Iran. He also condemned Trump’s threat against Iran’s population, calling the remarks “truly unacceptable.”