Former President Donald Trump has indicated that he does not plan to run for the presidency again in 2028 if he loses this November’s U.S. presidential election. At 78, Trump has been the Republican candidate in three consecutive national elections, significantly reshaping the party over the past eight years.
In an interview with Sinclair Media Group, Trump was asked if he could foresee running again in the event of a loss to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. “No, I don’t. I think… that will be it,” Trump said, adding, “I don’t see that at all,” but expressed optimism, saying, “hopefully, we’re going to be very successful.”
U.S. law prohibits presidents from serving more than two terms, so Trump would not be eligible to run in 2028 if he wins this election.
Historically, Trump has rarely acknowledged the possibility of defeat, instead energizing supporters with confident speeches and social media posts predicting victory. However, this marks the second time in four days that he has raised the prospect of losing. At an event hosted by the Israeli-American Council on Thursday, Trump suggested 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?” Trump reportedly said. “And the Jewish people would have to do a lot with that if that happens because at 40% [support] that means 60% of the people are voting for the enemy.”
These comments were swiftly condemned by Harris’s campaign, as well as by the nonpartisan American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.
Trump’s rare mentions of a potential loss come as the Democratic Party’s prospects have improved following Harris’s nomination after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race. In August, Harris’s campaign raised more than $190 million (£142m), surpassing the $130 million raised by Trump’s campaign and its affiliated groups.
National polling averages tracked by the BBC show Harris leading Trump, with a CBS poll released on Sunday indicating Harris is ahead 52% to 48%. In key battleground states, Harris holds a narrower lead of 51% to 49%, slightly up from last month’s even 50% in a CBS poll.
