'Flesh and blood': 3 reasons Trump is refusing to name a successor to the MAGA movement

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

Political commentator Chris Cillizza argued in a Substack video Monday that President Donald Trump is deliberately withholding a full-throated endorsement of Vice President JD Vance as his successor in the 2028 race. Instead, he proposed that he's keeping all of his options open.

Last week, Trump refrained from fully endorsing Vance as his anointed successor for the 2028 race, only saying he would “probably” emerge as the favorite to carry forward the MAGA brand.

When asked during a conversation whether Vance would become the next leader of MAGA, Trump responded “most likely, in all fairness. He’s the vice president.” However, he added that it was “too early” to make that call.

In his piece, Cillizza laid out three reasons why Trump is dragging his heels on endorsing Vance — or anyone else.

Trump, the author argued, thrives on suspense. An August 2025 endorsement would spoil the political cliffhanger and dim viewer interest in the next “season.” He needs the mystery to keep the ratings — and followers — alive, Cillizza wrote.

While Trump's son, Don. Jr., claims enthusiastic support for Vance, political ambition runs deep.

"Don Jr. — aka the eldest boy — is still lurking. While Jr. continues to insist he is all-in for Vance, this is politics. And Don Jr. wants into elected office. Is there going to be a better chance for him than 2028? And, if Don Jr. wants it, is Don Sr. really going to turn away his own flesh and blood?" Cillizza wrote.

The third reason, according to Cillizza, is that while Trump is constitutionally barred, he still dances around the notion of running again. When asked if a third term is off the table, he never says "no" —only that he isn’t planning it or “probably won’t.”

Cillizza suggests even Trump may not know if that is a joke or a hint.