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Close associates of President Donald Trump increasingly view Marco Rubio as a serious contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028, according to information revealed by two senior White House officials and five sources close to the administration, as reported by Politico this Friday.
The rise of Rubio represents a remarkable political transformation: the same politician whom Trump nicknamed "Little Marco" during the 2016 primaries and who suspended his campaign that year after losing in his home state of Florida has become one of the most influential men in the Trump administration.
Trump's advisor, Alex Bruesewitz, summarized Rubio's shift with a straightforward comparison: "He could have taken one of two paths after the 2016 campaign. He could have taken the path of John Kasich and started suffering from Trump derangement syndrome and faded into the abyss," he said, referring to the former governor of Ohio who ended up endorsing Joe Biden in 2020.
Rubio, on the other hand, "chose the path of embracing MAGA and became one of its staunchest allies and defenders," Bruesewitz added.
A senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described Rubio as "loyal, very intelligent, articulate, and highly experienced" and referred to him as a "winner."
Part of Rubio's rise can be explained by his dual role as Secretary of State and head of the National Security Council, a unique combination in recent history that has provided him with direct and constant access to the president.
"Because of this dual role, he has had a lot of access and face time with the president, and with MAGA. That has been huge for him," said Sean Spicer, former White House press secretary during Trump's first term.
The White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, pointed out that Rubio is "doing an incredible job in his dual roles as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State," and that his dual responsibilities allow him to "better understand the president's priorities and implement them throughout the foreign policy apparatus."
Among the achievements most frequently mentioned by his allies is his role as the political architect of the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, as well as his prominence in the maximum pressure policy against Cuba and Venezuela, and in operations against drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.
The polls reflect this rise. In the CPAC poll of March 2026, Rubio received 35% of the votes, compared to 3% the previous year. A YouGov poll from April places him at 42%, nine points higher than in September 2025.
JD Vance, however, remains the undisputed favorite: he leads the CPAC poll with 53% and the YouGov survey with 63%.
Rubio has publicly stated that he will not challenge Vance for the nomination, and Trump has not formally endorsed any successor. However, discussions within the White House already include him as a viable option to succeed the president, according to sources consulted by Politico.
Trump has publicly praised both: "JD Vance is a fantastic vice president, and Marco Rubio is a great Secretary of State," Bruesewitz summarized, keeping the door open to any scenario for 2028.
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