Vance or Rubio? Trump asking advisers about 2028

U.S. President Donald Trump has a new parlor game he's springing on advisers and confidants: JD Vance or Marco Rubio?

That is, do people favor the vice president or secretary of state to sit atop the GOP ticket to succeed him in 2028? Trump asks casually, but increasingly, several sources tell Axios.

Why it matters: Trump is focused on his legacy as his last midterm elections approach, and he believes there are no better standard bearers for it than Vance and Rubio.

Trump favors Vance. It's why he chose him as a running mate.

But Trump has notably and increasingly praised Rubio, in public and private, for his rising profile as secretary of state and national security adviser.

Behind the scenes: Trump enjoys gossiping, revels in playing people off of one another, and freely airs private musings. All five sources who spoke with Axios and relayed Trump's discussions with them cautioned against interpreting this as Trump souring on Vance.

"Vance-Rubio is the president's dream ticket" for 2028 — "and to be clear, that's Vance on top," said a Trump adviser whom the president recently asked to share opinions about the top of the ticket.

"But would Trump be happy with a Rubio-Vance ticket? Absolutely," the source said.

Zoom in: Vance has political advisers who, if he runs as widely expected, would form the backbone of a 2028 presidential campaign. Rubio lacks that infrastructure — and has made clear he's fine with Vance being the guy.

"If JD Vance runs for president, he's going to be our nominee, and I'll be one of the first people to support him," Rubio told Vanity Fair last year.

Rubio's posture hasn't changed. A source said Rubio has communicated that to Vance privately.

The men are close friends and served together in the Senate — as did their chiefs of staff, who are also friends.

Zoom out: Trump last year made clear that Vance is "most likely" his heir apparent because, "in all fairness, he's the vice president."

But Trump added that his preference is for Rubio to "get together with JD" on the ballot.

Advisers say Trump won't fully commit to a successor because he wants his team to think about their current jobs — and he doesn't want to look like he's losing power.