As U.S. forces joined Israel in launching major strikes against Iran on February 28, President Donald Trump spent the evening at his Mar-a-Lago resort speaking with political allies and donors — and sounding them out about the future of the Republican Party.

According to NBC News, Trump asked a group of roughly two dozen GOP donors which potential successor they would prefer to see lead the party in 2028: Secretary of State Marco Rubio or Vice President JD Vance.

Several attendees said Rubio drew the strongest reaction when the room was asked to choose.

“It was almost unanimous for Marco,” said one person present at the discussion, who spoke to NBC on condition of anonymity to describe the private conversation.

Another attendee described the reaction as closer to an even split between the two men.

The event included about 25 Republican donors and political allies, among them Robert Kraft and Georgia businessman Rick Jackson, who is running for governor.

While the informal poll does not indicate Trump has decided whom he might back in the next presidential race, it reflects the president’s growing interest in shaping the party’s future leadership.

Rubio’s profile inside the administration has risen in recent weeks as the White House concentrates heavily on international crises, including the confrontation with Iran. As secretary of state and national security adviser, Rubio has played a central role in foreign policy decisions.

Vance, meanwhile, has taken a quieter public role.

Rubio was reportedly present at Mar-a-Lago during the Iran strike discussions, while Vance remained in Washington monitoring developments from the White House Situation Room. Administration officials said the vice president stayed in the capital under security protocols designed to avoid having both the president and vice president away from Washington during a major military operation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)