Complaints about the… excessive number of victories for the United States were expressed by the US President, Donald Trump, in a post on the platform Truth Social. "We win way too often, it’s just unfair!" the American president characteristically wrote, adopting his familiar, triumphant style.
The strongest military force in the world
In November 2025, Donald Trump had characterized the US Armed Forces as the strongest military worldwide. He had emphasized that the United States does not only possess the most powerful military forces but also produces the best military equipment compared to any other country. On September 5 of last year, Trump signed a decree to rename the American Department of Defense to the "Department of War." During the signing ceremony, the occupant of the White House argued that the US won both World Wars, as well as all military conflicts that intervened between them. He mentioned that the term "Department of Defense" is overly "liberal," estimating that the name "Department of War" corresponds more to "the situation prevailing in the world."
We will win
In a previous statement, Donald Trump had expressed certainty that, should the US engage in military operations, "they will win like no one has ever won in history." The American president's positions bring back to the forefront the harsh rhetoric that characterizes his public presence, especially on matters of military power and the international influence of the United States.
Trump gave the ring of succession
As the US heads toward the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump seems to have found a new "game" for his advisors and close associates: JD Vance or Marco Rubio? That is, who would be the ideal candidate to be crowned as the leader of the Republicans in 2028. It is a game of balances, personal ambitions, and strategic thinking, which reveals much about the dynamics within the Republican Party and Trump's political mindset. Importantly, Trump does not pose it as a formal question; he approaches it in an informal, almost friendly way, but the frequency of the questions to his associates shows that the issue occupies him seriously. As sources tell Axios, Trump is focused on shaping his legacy, seeing in the faces of Vance and Rubio the most suitable expressions of his ideas and policy.
He prefers Vance but…
Trump prefers JD Vance, a fact reflected in his choice of him as the vice-presidential candidate. Nevertheless, he has repeatedly praised Rubio, both publicly and in private discussions, for his rising profile as the US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. Sources point out that Trump enjoys the "game of internal confrontations," which includes comparing the two and prompting his associates to express their views. This does not mean, however, that he is losing his trust in Vance, one source emphasizes: "The Vance-Rubio ticket is the president's dream for 2028 — and to be clear, Vance is first." The difference between the two candidates is evident: Vance already possesses a political staff that can support his candidacy for the presidency, while Rubio does not yet have this infrastructure. Rubio has repeatedly stated that he fully supports Vance, as both are close friends and collaborated in the Senate, while their staffs also maintain friendly relations. This fact underlines the strategic dimension: choosing Vance as the top candidate does not create tension between them but instead can strengthen the Republicans. Trump, for his part, has stated that Vance is the "most likely" successor due to his position as vice president. However, he does not close the possibility of collaborating with Rubio on the ballot, wanting to strengthen the overall party dynamic without showing a loss of power. Trump's strategy is based on the perception that publicity and presence in the media determine political influence. And here Rubio excels: as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, he is constantly at the center of international events, while the role of the vice president is, by comparison, more vague and less prominent.
The boxer and the velvet gloves
This element creates an interesting dilemma. On the one hand, Vance carries the official "legacy" of the vice president and possesses the political infrastructure for a 2028 campaign. On the other hand, Rubio is the "public face" of the administration, who can strengthen the visibility of the ticket and bring diplomatic weight. According to associates, one of the reasons Trump constantly praises Rubio is to entice him to participate alongside Vance: "Marco, you really made yourself proud a few days ago in Munich… but don’t do better than that, because otherwise you’re out," Trump reportedly said with humor. Inside the White House, Trump's analysis of the two candidates is characteristic: Vance is the "boxer," the tough guy who occasionally needs "to be held back," while Rubio is the "diplomat," who handles difficult situations with "velvet gloves," but achieves results. This image shows Trump's logic: one brings power and the capacity for political struggle, the other brings visibility and international influence. Together, they compose the "dream ticket" for 2028.
Strange game
As the midterm elections approach, we expect to see Vance more on the front line. As chairman of the Republican National Committee's finance committee, he plans campaigns across the country to support the party's effort to maintain control of the House. His increased visibility will strengthen his profile and establish him as a key candidate for the party, while simultaneously minimizing any impressions of internal rivalry with Rubio. Vance himself, speaking to Fox News, emphasized that the confrontation created by the media is exaggerated: "I think it's so interesting that the media wants to create this conflict where it doesn't actually exist." This statement captures the strategic alliance and personal friendship between the two politicians, who seem likely to constitute the pillars of the Republicans for the next elections. Overall, Trump's game with Vance and Rubio is not just a discussion about who will lead in 2028. It is a lesson in strategy, publicity, and political planning. The president utilizes personalities, publicity, and relationships of trust to strengthen the overall influence of the party, simultaneously shaping the image of his own political legacy. The Vance or Rubio dilemma, although it appears as a "strange game," reveals with precision the way Trump perceives politics: as a combination of power, publicity, and personal relationships, where the choice of the "right combination" can determine the fate of a party and potentially an entire presidential era.
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