Republican supporters already see Vance as the next US president

US Vice President J.D. Vance was greeted with chants of '48' at a closed-door event during the Republican Party convention in Dallas. In this way, participants signaled that they want to see Vance as a presidential candidate in the 2028 election — if he won, he would become the 48th President of the United States.

This was reported by Politico.

The episode took place amid growing discussions within the Republican Party about who could succeed Donald Trump after the end of his second presidential term.

Vance has not yet officially declared his intention to run for president in 2028. However, he is increasingly considered one of the leading potential contenders for the Republican nomination.

The chant '48' is not the first time it has accompanied the vice president's public appearances. In October 2025, attendees of a Turning Point USA conservative organization event at the University of Mississippi also began shouting '48' during Vance's speech.

The vice president then responded to the crowd: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Vance strengthens position ahead of 2028

Vance's political activity has noticeably increased in recent months. In addition to his work in the administration, he engages in fundraising for the Republican Party, participates in events with major donors, and campaigns for GOP candidates ahead of the midterm congressional elections.

Vance serves as the finance chairman of the Republican National Committee, which gives him the opportunity to build connections with party donors and activists across the country.

Previously, American media reported that Trump himself, in private conversations with donors, also spoke positively about a possible Vance candidacy. According to The Washington Post, at one closed-door meeting, the president told those present that the Republicans ultimately need to "elect J.D."

At the same time, Trump has publicly avoided clearly naming a successor for a long time and has mentioned both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio among possible future party leaders.

The current Republican convention in Dallas is primarily dedicated to the midterm elections on November 3, 2026. The party is trying to maintain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Vance is among the main speakers at the event, along with Trump and other senior administration officials.

However, the chant of "48" shows that for some Republican activists, the convention has already become a platform not only for the 2026 campaign, but also for discussing the next presidential race.

Source: Politico, CBS News, The Washington Post