Former President Donald Trump has stated that he does not anticipate running for election in 2028 if he loses in the upcoming US presidential election this November.
Trump, aged 78, has represented the Republican Party in three consecutive national elections, significantly influencing the party’s direction over the past eight years.
During an interview with Sinclair Media Group, he was questioned about the possibility of another campaign should he be defeated by Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris. Trump responded, “No, I don’t. I think… that will be it,” Trump said. “I don’t see that at all.”
However, he expressed optimism, adding, “hopefully, we’re going to be very successful”.
According to US law, presidents are prohibited from serving more than two terms, hence Trump would not be eligible to run in 2028 if he were to win this election.
Historically, the real estate tycoon has seldom admitted the possibility of losing an election, typically rallying his supporters with victory-assured speeches and social media posts.
Yet, this marks the second time he has acknowledged the possibility of defeat within four days.
At a gathering organized by the Israeli-American Council on Thursday, Trump discussed the potential of losing and implied that any such defeat could be attributed partly to Jewish voters.
“Do they know what the hell is happening if I don’t win this election?” he questioned, according to various media reports.
“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 remarks drew criticism from the Harris campaign as well as from the nonpartisan American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.
Trump’s recent admissions of potential defeat might indicate a shift in the Democratic Party’s standing since Harris was nominated, succeeding President Joe Biden who withdrew from the race.
Her campaign reported raising over $190 million in August, surpassing the $130 million collected by Trump’s campaign and its affiliates.
National polls monitored by the BBC show Harris leading Trump, and a CBS poll released on Sunday indicates a 52% to 48% advantage for Harris nationally.
In crucial battleground states, which are expected to be pivotal in the election outcome, Harris holds a slight lead of 51% to 49%, an improvement from a previous 50% tie reported last month by CBS, a partner of BBC News.
Another poll by NBC released on Sunday suggests Harris has a five percentage point lead nationally over Trump.
It also revealed that 48% of registered voters now view her positively, up from 32% in July—this is the most significant increase since then-President George W. Bush’s favorability spike following the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Despite these figures, the NBC poll indicates that Trump still maintains a substantial lead on key election issues such as the economy, the cost of living, and immigration.
