Former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has ruled out a 2028 presidential bid if he loses this November. In an interview that aired Sunday, September 22, 2024, Trump stated that this would be his final attempt to win the White House.
When asked if he would consider running again in 2028 should he lose the upcoming election, Trump responded firmly, “No, I don’t… I think that will be it. I don’t see that at all.” His declaration shifts from his usual defiant stance, which rarely acknowledges the possibility of losing.
Trump, who is 78, would be 82 by the 2028 election, raising inevitable comparisons to President Joe Biden, who faced similar scrutiny regarding his age before exiting the 2024 race. Biden stepped down amid calls from his party about his mental acuity, and the issue has now also surfaced in discussions about Trump’s potential fitness for another term.
This is not the first time Trump has mentioned walking away from politics. During the 2020 campaign, he famously claimed that if he lost to Biden, “you’ll never see me again.” However, after his defeat, he remained at the forefront of national politics, launching multiple legal challenges against the 2020 election results and becoming the Republican nominee once again in 2024.
The former president’s statement may have considerable ramifications for the Republican Party, which his leadership has significantly molded since 2016. In recent interviews, Trump suggested that if he wins the 2024 election, he should be allowed to serve beyond the two-term limit. He pointed to alleged misconduct during his 2016 campaign, specifically the claims that his campaign was unlawfully surveilled, as justification for an additional term.
Trump’s refusal to run again after a potential 2024 loss could signal a turning point for the Republican Party as it struggles with its future leadership. Over the past eight years, Trump has reshaped the party’s base, making his absence in future races a key moment for its direction. If he is not victorious this November, the GOP must now consider how to navigate a post-Trump era.
Despite his strong declaration, Trump has been hesitant to accept the possibility of losing elections in the past. After losing the 2020 race, Trump refused to concede and led a controversial effort to overturn the results, culminating in the January 6 Capitol riot. There are already concerns that Trump and his allies are laying the groundwork to challenge the outcome of the 2024 election if it does not go in his favor.
Recent polls show Trump in a competitive race against Vice President Kamala Harris, who stepped in as the Democratic nominee after Biden’s withdrawal. According to a poll released on Sunday, Harris leads Trump nationally by a narrow margin of 52% to 48%, while in key battleground states, her lead shrinks to just 1%.
As the election approaches, Trump is focused on his 2024 campaign but is already facing questions about his plans beyond November. He stated he hopes for a successful outcome in the upcoming election.