GOP billionaire reveals whether he would back Vance or Rubio in 2028

Multibillionaire Ken Griffin, a prolific Republican donor and Citadel founder, indicated on Wednesday at the Allen & Company Sun Valley conference that he would support Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Vice President JD Vance in a potential 2028 Republican presidential primary contest. The statement came during an interview with media figure Andrew Ross Sorkin, as reported by Axios. Griffin's preference reflects his historical backing of Rubio during the 2016 presidential cycle and signals that despite Vance's current position as Vice President, certain major GOP donors retain preferences for alternative candidates.

Griffin's stated position carries particular weight given his track record of significant political investment. During the 2024 election cycle, he contributed $5 million to a super PAC supporting former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the GOP primary. More notably, according to Axios reporter Alex Isenstadt's 2025 book "Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power," Griffin had previously urged then-President Trump not to select Vance as his 2024 running mate—indicating a sustained pattern of reservations about Vance's political viability among elite GOP donors. Griffin stated after the 2024 general election that he voted for Trump, establishing his continued alignment with the Republican establishment despite his Vance concerns.

However, the practical implications of Griffin's preference remain unclear. He did not specify what resources, fundraising efforts, or operational support he would deploy on Rubio's behalf in a 2028 scenario. Additionally, Secretary of State Rubio has publicly indicated that he would not challenge Vice President Vance if Vance decides to run for president, potentially rendering Griffin's stated preference moot unless Vance declines to pursue the nomination. Neither Vance nor Rubio has officially declared their 2028 intentions, leaving the donor landscape speculative at this stage.