AmericaFest attendees delivered a striking straw poll that spotlights Vice President JD Vance as the overwhelming favorite for the Republican top spot in 2028 and signals broad approval for President Trump’s cabinet and tougher immigration measures among conservative activists.
Turning Point USA released the AmericaFest 2025 straw poll as the event wrapped up, and the numbers demand attention from anyone following GOP trajectories. Respondents were asked who they want at the top of the Republican ticket in 2028, and the response was lopsided. The results suggest a clear preference among activists that could shape conversations inside the party.
When asked who they would like to see at the top of the Republican ticket in 2028, respondents answered overwhelmingly in favor of Vice President JD Vance, who surpassed President Trump’s 2024 total by 2 points. Vance pulled in a staggering 84 percent of the vote, leaving Sec. Marco Rubio far behind at 4 percent. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Glenn Youngkin combined for under 1 percent, underscoring how consolidated support was around one candidate.
President Trump’s cabinet polled extraordinarily well, with half of cabinet members receiving a “strongly approve” share greater than 50 percent. Only Attorney General Pam Bondi received a disapproval rating in the double digits, and even that was just 29 percent. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led with an 83 percent “strongly approve” rating and a total approval near 95 percent, signaling high enthusiasm for the team among the base.
The poll also showed the base backing a harder line on immigration, with nearly 90 percent of respondents indicating support for a total moratorium on new immigration. That level of agreement is rare in a diverse field of attendees, and it frames immigration as a core issue heading into the next cycle. This strong stance will likely influence policy debates and messaging for candidates courting activist voters.
Respondents were asked about America’s alliances, and answers leaned toward a pragmatic view of global partners. One third of respondents believed that Israel is America’s “top ally,” while another 50 percent described Israel as “one ally of many.” Just 13 percent said that Israel was “not an ally” to America, which shows significant backing for the U.S.-Israel relationship among this crowd.
The poll enumerated perceived threats with a straightforward hierarchy: radical islam, socialism, mass migration, and the economy ranked as the biggest threats facing the nation. Other concerns such as AI, low fertility, lack of patriotism, and foreign influence operations fell toward the bottom of the list. When asked about priorities, respondents named winning the midterms and voter integrity as top near-term concerns, which points to a campaign focus on elections and election rules.
Taken together, these numbers sketch a picture of a Republican activist base that is decisive on personnel and policy. A dominant preference for JD Vance, robust cabinet approvals, and near-unanimous backing for immigration restrictions send clear signals to strategists and officials about the arguments that resonate on the right. Campaigns and commentators that miss that combination of personality and policy risk talking past the movement that showed up at AmericaFest.
The poll doesn’t settle nominees or dictate outcomes, but it does set expectations about where energy and enthusiasm currently sit within Republican ranks. These results will be used by allies and opponents alike as a talking point in internal discussions and public debates. For now, activists at AmericaFest have made their priorities plain and they’ll be a force to reckon with in shaping the next phase of GOP politics.
