Former President Trump says he probably won’t run again in 2028 if he loses to Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election.
Trump brushed off the question about a potential fourth straight run for the White House in a friendly interview over the weekend with Sharyl Attkisson.
“No, I don’t. I think that that will be, that will be it. I don’t see that at all,” Trump said. “I think that hopefully we’re gonna be successful.”
Trump is 78 and would be 82 by election day in 2028.
The remark was notable in that Trump rarely responds to questions that consider the possibility of any setback, much less a devastating potential defeat like a second straight White House loss.
Attkisson did not ask Trump if he plans to serve his entire four-year term if he wins. She also did not ask if he would try to run for another term if he wins, presumably because the 22nd Amendment bars presidents from serving more than two terms.
It’s unclear who would be favored to take over the Republican Party mantle in 2028 if Trump loses.
He picked vice presidential nominee JD Vance in part because of his youth and potential to lead the far right MAGA wing of the party into the future. But Vance has proven to be an unpopular pick so far.
Failed presidential primary candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley might vie for contention along with up-and-coming lawmakers like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri). Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) might seek a comeback after losing to Trump in 2016 and being passed over as his No. 2 this year.
Trump’s age has become an issue in the clash against the much-younger Harris, who picked up the Democratic baton after President Biden, who is 81, stepped aside and endorsed her in July.
Harris leads by about 3% in national polls but the race is closer in the seven battleground states that will likely determine the winner of the White House.