Has Trump changed his mind?
Rumors are flying in Washington after a new report suggested that Texas Senator Ted Cruz may be preparing a 2028 presidential run. The chatter has sparked fresh questions about the future of President Donald Trump’s political movement—and whether Vice President JD Vance still stands as the clear heir to the America First agenda.
According to Axios, Cruz is quietly laying the groundwork for a potential campaign. But the Texas senator is publicly brushing off those claims, telling Fox News that “reporters are going to write headlines that get clicks and get eyeballs.” He insisted he remains focused on serving the 31 million Texans who elected him.
President Trump, speaking directly from the Oval Office, said he was not shocked by the rumors. Calling Cruz “a very good guy” and “a very good friend,” Trump reminded reporters that 2028 is still more than three years away—“a long time in politics,” as he put it. Trump even joked about their fiery 2016 primary fight before adding, “It worked out quite nicely. We’re in the Oval Office, aren’t we?”
The renewed Cruz speculation is particularly notable because Trump has already hinted at two likely successors: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump cannot run again due to constitutional limits, making his endorsement critical to maintaining Republican control of the White House after 2029.
Current polling shows JD Vance dominating the early field with 42% support, while Cruz is far behind at 4%. Betting markets also overwhelmingly list Vance as the favorite to carry the America First torch. For many older conservative voters, Vance represents the next generation—unapologetically patriotic, tough on China, and firmly committed to securing the southern border.
Not everyone believes Cruz has the momentum to mount a serious challenge. University of Surrey professor Mark Shanahan dismissed the idea entirely, saying Cruz is “never going to be the coming man.” He argued that voters are unlikely to find anything new or inspiring in Cruz’s message heading into 2028.
As for Donald Trump’s eventual endorsement, analysts say he may keep everyone guessing. Many expect Trump to tease the possibility of his own political return well into the election cycle, maintaining leverage and media attention. Shanahan even compared it to President Eisenhower’s deliberately vague endorsement of Richard Nixon in 1960.
Trump himself recently praised Vance and Rubio as “great people” and suggested that if they ever teamed up, “it would be unstoppable.” He added that his approval numbers are the strongest they’ve ever been—another sign that Trump’s influence will shape the Republican Party long after he leaves office.
Senator Cruz tried once again Monday to tamp down the speculation, telling Fox News’ Harris Faulkner that he is focused on his current job and not on headlines. Meanwhile, JD Vance told Sean Hannity that although he has thought about the future, his priority remains the work Americans elected him to do right now.
With the 2026 midterms still ahead, official announcements for 2028 are unlikely anytime soon. But one thing is certain: the battle to lead the Republican Party after Trump is already underway, and conservative voters—especially older Americans who fueled his victories—will have tremendous power in deciding who takes up the mantle.