Donald Trump thinks Marco Rubio could be his potential successor. 10 things to know about him

In his interview with MSNBC, US President Donald Trump finally named his potential successors but he did not stop at the obvious choice, Vice President JD Vance who is also the Republicans' favorite candidate for 2028. Trump also mentioned Marco Rubio, the secretary of state who is also the interim NSA of Trump after Mike Waltz's ouster.

In the interview, Trump was asked about his successor though he has been steadily hinting so far that he would love to run for another term. Trump said it's too early to name a successor but he has a vice president who is doing a fantastic job.

"He would be at the top of the list?" Trump was asked.

"It — it could very well be — I — I don’t want to get involved in that. I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great. I — I also see tremendous unity. But certainly you would say that somebody’s the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage," Trump said.

"But I think the other people would all stay in unbelievably high positions. But you know, it could be that he’d be challenged by somebody. We have a lot of good people in this party," Trump said.

Why Marco Rubio has become so important in the second Trump administration

Marco Rubio is a veteran in politics. He entered politics in 1999, serving in the Florida House of Representatives, where he rose to become Speaker from 2006 to 2008. He later served as a US Senator from Florida from 2011 to 2025.

Marco Rubio ran for president in 2016, initially clashing with Trump, who nicknamed him “Li’l Marco,” but later reconciled and became a Trump ally.

Rubio became the 72nd US Secretary of State. After the Trump administration dismantled USAID, Marco Rubio was given the responsibility as the acting director of the agency.

Marco Rubio was confirmed by the Senate unanimously by a vote of 99-0.

Rubio is also the acting archivist for the National Archives. He is wearing so many hats that JD Vance joked that he should become the pope as well.

Rubio has been vocal on international issues, condemning Germany’s labeling of the AfD party as extremist, advocating for a nuclear deal with Iran that avoids uranium enrichment.

Rubio’s net worth is now estimated at $500,000 to $1 million in 2025, thanks to book royalties, real estate investments, and his government salaries

Rubio is married to Jeanette Dousdebes, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, and they have four children. When JD Vance said he should become the pope, Rubio deflected, citing his marriage.

Marco Rubio was born in Miami, but as the son of Cuban immigrants he has lived the American dream and stands for it as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigrants.

US visas are not a right but a privilege, Marco Rubio recently wrote explaining Donald Trump's hardline on US visas.