Former President Donald Trump has indicated that he is unlikely to run for election again in 2028 if he is defeated in the upcoming U.S. presidential election this November. At 78, Trump has been the Republican candidate in three consecutive national elections, significantly influencing the party over the past eight years.
In an interview with Sinclair Media Group, when asked about the possibility of running again if he loses to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump responded, “No, I don’t. I think… that will be it. I don’t see that at all.” However, he expressed optimism about his chances, saying, “hopefully, we’re going to be very successful.”
Under U.S. law, presidents can only serve two terms, so Trump would be ineligible to run in 2028 if he wins this election. Historically, Trump has rarely acknowledged the prospect of losing, often energizing his supporters with pledges of victory in his speeches and on social media. However, this marks the second time in recent days that he has mentioned the possibility of defeat.
At a recent event hosted by the Israeli-American Council, Trump brought up the idea of losing, suggesting that if he were to lose, Jewish voters would bear some responsibility. “Do they know what the hell is happening if I don’t win this election?” he reportedly said, implying that Jewish voters who don’t support him would contribute to his defeat. His comments sparked backlash from the Harris campaign, as well as Jewish organizations like the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.
Trump’s remarks about a potential loss come as polling data shows Vice President Kamala Harris with an edge. In national polling averages, Harris leads Trump, and a CBS poll released on Sunday shows her with a 52% to 48% lead nationwide. In key battleground states, Harris holds a narrower lead of 51% to 49%, an improvement from a CBS poll last month. Additionally, an NBC poll gives Harris a five-point lead over Trump across the U.S., with her favorability rising significantly.
Despite these polls, Trump continues to hold a clear advantage with voters on major issues like the economy, cost of living, and immigration. The Trump campaign has yet to comment on the latest polling data.
