Trump Says He Likely Won’t Run Again In 2028 If He Loses To Harris

Topline

Former President Donald Trump doesn’t expect to seek office again if he loses in November’s election, he said in an interview on the television program “Full Measure” aired Sunday, an admission from the 78-year-old Trump two months after his Democratic opponents reshuffled due to age concerns regarding President Joe Biden.

Key Facts

“I think that … that will be it,” Trump told host Sherryl Atkinson when asked if he’d run again in 2028 if he loses to Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

Trump, who became the oldest major party presidential nominee in history after Biden dropped out, would be 82 years old on Election Day in 2028.

“I don't see that at all,” Trump added about launching another presidential bid, adding “hopefully we’re gonna be successful” in 2024.

Key Background

In 2028, Trump would be a year older than the 81-year-old Biden, who abandoned his reelection bid in July largely due to age concerns, throwing his weight behind Harris as the Democrats’ eventual nominee. Before Biden exited the race, Trump was mostly reticent to swipe at his opponent’s age, saying in June that Biden’s “problem is not his age” but his lack of “competence.” The 22nd Amendment prohibits Trump from running in 2028 if he prevails this fall, as that would be for his third presidential term, though Trump has hinted previously at intending to stay in office beyond inauguration day in 2029. Trump has been the Republican nominee for president three times, in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and also briefly campaigned for the Oval Office in 2000 and weighed campaigning in 2012.

Big Number

2.9 points. That’s Harris’ lead over Trump in national polling, according to FiveThirtyEight’s weighted average. Most polls have shown Harris gaining a small lead on Trump since replacing Biden as the party’s nominee, reversing Trump’s edge on Biden—though the race remains extremely tight, especially in must-win swing states like Pennsylvania.