Top GOP financier Ken Griffin has reportedly expressed his support for Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Vice President JD Vance for the potential 2028 GOP presidential primary.
The Citadel founder and CEO shared his views at the private Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. During an interview with New York Times financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin, Griffin revealed his preference for Rubio in a hypothetical 2028 GOP primary matchup, reported Axios on Wednesday.
Ken Griffin is one of the Republican Party's largest donors, contributing more than $100 million during the 2024 election cycle. He has a history of supporting Rubio and contributed to his unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign and hinted at backing him again. However, Griffin did not specify how his support for Rubio would manifest in the potential 2028 primary.
GOP Succession Battle Heats Up
This news comes amid speculation about the future of the GOP. Griffin's preference highlights a widening divide within the Republican Party, with establishment figures backing Rubio, while anti-establishment supporters favor Vance for his more cautious stance on U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.
In June, Vance stated he would consider his political future after the midterm elections. Meanwhile, back in August President Donald Trump hinted at Vance as a potential successor to carry forward the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Trump even suggested a possible collaboration between Vance and Rubio for a future Republican ticket.
Griffin's Mixed View on Trump
The Citadel CEO has had a mixed relationship with Trump. He opposed Trump's 2024 GOP nomination, backing Nikki Haley instead, and previously urged Republicans to move on from Trump. While Griffin has criticized Trump's tariffs, he has supported the President's deregulation efforts and attended a White House dinner with other Wall Street executives last November.
Griffin also praised Trump's tough stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions but warned that war and persistent inflation could hurt Republicans in the midterm elections. However, he argued that inflation largely stems from policies during the Biden administration while Trump is receiving an outsized share of the blame.
