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.
