Billionaire hedge fund founder Ken Griffin appears to have tipped his hand in the early jockeying for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, signaling he would be inclined to support Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Vice President JD Vance should the two face off in a future GOP primary.
Griffin made the remarks during an interview Wednesday at the annual Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, according to Axios.
Asked by CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin whether he would back Rubio or Vance in a hypothetical Republican primary, Griffin pointed to his longstanding support for Rubio, suggesting he would likely stand with the secretary of state once again.
While Griffin stopped short of announcing any formal endorsement or financial commitment, the comments offer one of the clearest indications yet of where one of the Republican Party’s most influential donors may land in what is widely expected to become a competitive post-Trump presidential race.
A Longtime Rubio Supporter
Griffin’s affinity for Rubio is nothing new.
The Citadel founder backed Rubio during the Florida senator’s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, when Rubio sought the Republican nomination before eventually suspending his bid as Donald Trump consolidated support within the party.
In more recent election cycles, however, Griffin has demonstrated a willingness to support multiple Republican candidates.
During the 2024 GOP presidential primary, he donated $5 million to a super PAC backing former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, according to the Associated Press. After Trump secured both the Republican nomination and the presidency, Griffin said he ultimately voted for him in the general election.
Questions About Vance
Axios reporter Alex Isenstadt noted that Griffin’s reservations about Vance date back to the 2024 campaign.
In his 2025 book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power, Isenstadt reported that Griffin privately urged then-candidate Trump not to select Vance as his running mate.
Despite those concerns, Trump ultimately chose the Ohio senator, who went on to become vice president.
Griffin’s latest comments suggest those earlier reservations may still influence his thinking as Republicans begin looking toward 2028.
Rubio Has Already Weighed In
For his part, Rubio has sought to tamp down speculation about a potential rivalry with Vance.
According to a 2025 Vanity Fair report, Rubio said he would not challenge the vice president if Vance enters the presidential race.
“If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio said.
That statement has fueled speculation that any future presidential ambitions Rubio may hold could depend largely on whether Vance ultimately decides to run.
An Influential Republican Donor
Griffin’s political preferences carry considerable weight within Republican fundraising circles.
As founder and CEO of Citadel, one of the world’s largest hedge funds, Griffin has amassed a fortune estimated by Forbes at more than $51 billion.
Over the past decade, he has become one of the GOP’s most prolific donors, investing millions of dollars in Republican candidates, political action committees, and conservative causes.
Although Griffin’s remarks do not amount to an endorsement, they provide an early glimpse into how influential Republican donors are beginning to think about the party’s future leadership.
Both Rubio and Vance are frequently mentioned among the leading contenders to carry the Republican banner into the post-Trump era should they choose to run.
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