I don’t see J.D. Vance as my successor: Trump

Washington: Donald Trump said he does not view Vice President J.D. Vance as his likely successor.

The US president suggested it was “too early” to consider endorsing Vance to lead the Republican ticket in 2028, but said he was a “very capable” politician.

Asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier if he saw Vance as his successor, Trump said: “No, but he is very capable. I think you have a lot of very capable people.

President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance leaving a presidential inauguration event last month.Credit: AP

“So far I think he is doing a fantastic job. It’s too early, we are just starting.”

Vance has not been assigned a specific portfolio by Trump, as some of his predecessors have been.

While he has long-standing areas of interest, from technology and disaster relief to immigration, those close to the former Ohio senator suggest his role is to be at the disposal of Trump for whatever he requires.

With Trump prevented by the Constitution from running in 2028, Vance is seen in Republican circles as his natural successor.

But by refusing to endorse him so early, Trump can stay above party politics and cement his authority in the current administration.

Vance’s willingness to wade into sometimes hostile territory has earned the president’s praise.

“He is a feisty guy, isn’t he?” Trump said during his victory speech on the night of the election, describing how he had instructed Vance to “go into the enemy camp”.

While some Republicans might have resisted going on CNN or speaking with The New York Times, Trump said, Vance “really looks forward to it, and then he just goes in and absolutely obliterates them”.

Vance, he added, “turned out to be a good choice. I took a little heat at the beginning, but he was – I knew the brain was a good one, about as good as it gets.”

Vance is on his first international trip as vice president, joining world leaders and tech executives at a two-day artificial intelligence summit in France.

While in Paris, he is expected to push back on European efforts to tighten AI oversight and to advocate a more open, innovation-driven approach.

Vance will also have his first opportunity to make the administration’s case to world leaders and tech luminaries during a private working dinner at the Elysee Palace hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

He will also deliver an address to the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit and hold talks with Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The diplomatic tour continues later this week in Germany, where Vance will attend the Munich Security Conference and press European allies to increase their commitments to NATO and Ukraine.

Also in the Fox interview, Trump voiced outrage that weight loss drugs were far cheaper in London than in New York as he signalled drugs would probably be part of his planned tariffs.

He insisted his plans would bring the price down for US consumers.

“The so-called fat drug or fat shot – whatever it’s called, Ozempic or Mounjaro – in London you get it for $US88 ($140), in New York you get it for $US1200,” Trump said.

“You can’t even buy it. It’s very unfair. The identical package, made in the same factory and shipped to different places, but literally made in the same factory.

“And the reason is because everything is added onto in the United States, because the United States has been too nice.”

The Telegraph, London

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