White House reporters float some surprise choices on which Republicans could run for president after Trump, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/media/white-house-reporters-float-wild-names-republicans-could-run-president-after-trump)
28-09-2026
The Fox News article covers a panel discussion held at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Texas, where three prominent White House reportersGarrett Haake (NBC News), Maggie Haberman (The New York Times), and Dasha Burns (Politico)discussed potential Republican candidates who could run for president in 2028 to succeed Donald Trump.
The reporters mapped out the post-Trump Republican primary into four potential lanes:
The Trump Successor Lane:
The front-runner position blessed from inside the White House. The panel agreed this is Vice President JD Vance’s nomination to lose if he decides to run, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned as an alternative should Vance opt out or face setbacks.
The “I Tried to Help, But You Didn’t Listen” Lane:
Occupied by figures like Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who could position themselves as loyal allies who fought alongside Trump, but distance themselves if political conditions or approval ratings sour by offering an alternative conservative path forward.
The Explicitly Anti-Trump Lane:
Comprising traditional critics or moderate figures willing to run against the MAGA direction, such as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie or outgoing Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon.
The Wild Card / Outsider Coalition Lane:
The most surprising choices floated were former independent and third-party figures turned administration officials. Garrett Haake named Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., arguing that if the MAGA base fractures, the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement represents a dedicated constituency Kennedy directly commands. Dasha Burns added former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to this lane, along with potential runs from other cabinet members such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Additionally, the reporters highlighted the kingmaker role of Donald Trump Jr., noting his immense popularity with the grassroots base, and pointed out that midterms and external developments could dramatically shift who ultimately enters the race.