OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
With Donald Trump constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in four years, speculation is already rising over who will run to succeed him in 2028.
Vice President-elect JD Vance is currently the frontrunner to become the 48th president, with a 25% chance (+300 odds), according to SportsBettingDime.
As vice president, Vance will be next in line to assume office should Trump be unable or unwilling to continue serving. Since 1933, only five vice presidents have successfully been elected to serve as commander-in-chief, according to the New York Post.
Vance, 40, tops the odds list, followed by former first lady Michelle Obama (+500), California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom (+550), Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis (+800), former Democratic congresswoman-turned-Republican activist Tulsi Gabbard (+1000), and right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson (+1400), the outlet reported.
Vice President Kamala Harris (+2500) is tied with Oprah Winfrey and narrowly surpasses Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro (+3300), whom Harris declined to select as her running mate despite Democratic operatives believing he could have helped secure the Keystone State for Democrats.
Other notable figures on the list include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (+1400), former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley (+2500), Donald Trump Jr. (+4000), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (+5000), and pro wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (+6600).
Tech guru Elon Musk also appears on the list (+5000), despite being constitutionally ineligible for the presidency due to his South African birthplace. He shares the same odds with Ivanka Trump (+5000), Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (+5000), Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (+5000), and former Rep. Liz Cheney (+6600).
Many of the individuals listed have previously been subjects of presidential speculation. Michelle Obama, in particular, remains a favorite among the left and is one of the most popular Democrats nationally. While her allies assert that she dislikes the campaign trail, she has shown willingness to support Democratic candidates since her husband Barack left office in 2017.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s name has also been mentioned as a possible alternative to President Biden, though Newsom has remained loyal to the 81-year-old president, despite concerns about Biden’s mental acuity. Newsom is term-limited and cannot run for reelection in 2026.
Similarly, Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and ineligible for reelection in 2026. However, he chose a different path from Newsom by challenging his party’s de facto leader for the presidency, though unsuccessfully.
Meanwhile, a moderate Democrat who briefly ran against President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination this past year is the latest member of his party to praise Trump’s effort to bring in voices and figures to his incoming administration from the opposition.
In fact, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said on Friday that he’d consider accepting a post within Trump’s White House.
During an interview with NewsNation, where he weighed in on the outcome of Trump’s historic and resounding victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, Phillips said, “I am not a big fan of the president himself, but I understand the MAGA movement. I understand why people are angry.”
As Trump announced numerous nominations for top Cabinet positions recently, Phillips decided to enter the race to change the dynamics in Washington, saying Thursday, “If there is a job that could help the country and that my skillset would be useful for — anybody should consider that.”
“I understand why this federal government needs to be reformed,” he continued. “But then do it with people with competency and integrity to do it.”
He added: “If we come to a point where no Democrat would want to serve in a Republican administration and conversely, we’re limiting 50% of the universe of potential appointees, and that’s what I’m trying to overcome.”
WATCH:
Democratic Congressman Dean Phillips says he is open to working in the Trump administration.
“I actually support an office of government efficiency, for gosh sakes it’s long overdue. Our debt is out of control.”
“If there’s a job that can help the country and that my skill set… pic.twitter.com/5S3ovvdtnm
— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) November 15, 2024
