Former Meet the Press host Chuck Todd has floated the possibility that the 2028 Republican presidential nominee could be a member of the Trump family, rather than the more commonly discussed candidates like Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a video posted Tuesday to X, Todd analyzed FanDuel's prediction market for the 2028 GOP field, noting that while Vance and Rubio are early frontrunners, the betting odds don't fully capture the potential for a Trump dynasty. “I’d prefer a flyer on somebody with the last name of Trump,” Todd said, specifically naming Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Lara Trump, the Fox News host married to Eric. “Any of those four, none of them are 0 percent chances in my head,” he added.
The comment comes as the Trump administration continues to shape GOP politics, with the president’s approval rating sliding amid the ongoing Iran conflict and rising cost-of-living pressures. According to a Decision Desk HQ polling average, Trump’s approval stood at just 40.10% as of Wednesday, with 56.90% disapproving—a stark backdrop for any successor.
Vance and Rubio have been the most frequently cited heirs apparent. An Emerson College poll showed them neck-and-neck, with Vance at 36% and Rubio at 35% in a hypothetical matchup. Trump himself recently suggested on a podcast that the two should run on a joint ticket, saying, “I don’t know how you beat them if they’re together. That would be a great team.” He did not specify which should top the ticket.
But Todd’s speculation underscores a persistent uncertainty about whether the GOP will remain a family enterprise. With Trump’s children and in-law all maintaining high profiles—Ivanka as a businesswoman and former adviser, Don Jr. as a conservative media figure, Eric and Lara as party fixtures—the possibility of a “Trump 2.0” candidate cannot be dismissed.
The prediction market landscape itself has drawn regulatory attention. The Trump administration recently unveiled new rules for prediction markets, which could affect how these platforms operate and are perceived. Meanwhile, the president’s foreign policy moves—including warnings of more Iran strikes amid escalating retaliatory attacks—continue to dominate headlines and influence public opinion.
For now, the 2028 race remains a speculative exercise, but Todd’s bet on a Trump-family nominee highlights the enduring gravitational pull of the Trump brand within the GOP. Whether that pull survives the president’s current political troubles is another question entirely.
