AUSTIN, Texas — Three prominent White House reporters discussed potential Republican candidates for the 2028 presidential election during a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival. The panel included Politico White House bureau chief Dasha Burns, NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake, and New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman. The conversation, moderated by Annah Aschbrenner of The Washington Post, primarily focused on President Donald Trump's current term but also addressed future competition within the Republican Party.
Haake identified four potential lanes within the Republican Party for candidates. The first lane he described is the Trump successor lane, suggesting JD Vance as a likely candidate, unless he opts out or is disqualified, in which case Marco Rubio could be considered. The second lane includes candidates like Ted Cruz, who may express dissatisfaction with Trump's leadership while remaining an ally. The third lane is characterized as explicitly anti-Trump, with potential candidates including Chris Christie and outgoing Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon.
Haake also mentioned a fourth 'wild card' candidate, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which elicited reactions from the audience. Burns added former DNI Tulsi Gabbard to this group of candidates. Haake speculated that if the MAGA coalition fractures by 2028, the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which supported RFK Jr.'s independent run in 2024, could align with him more than with Trump.
Haberman noted that while JD Vance is likely to be the nominee if he desires it, external factors such as international conflicts could influence his chances. Burns highlighted the significant role of Donald Trump Jr. within the Republican Party, stating that Vance's political ascent was aided by Trump Jr.'s popularity among MAGA supporters. She remarked on Trump Jr.'s ability to connect with conservative voters and suggested that his influence could benefit Vance's candidacy.
Additionally, Burns indicated that many individuals from Trump's cabinet might also consider running for president, alongside RFK Jr. and Gabbard, mentioning Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as a potential contender.