Former President Donald Trump has unequivocally ruled out another run for the presidency in 2028 should he lose the 2024 election to Vice President Kamala Harris. In an interview with Full Measure host Sharyl Attkisson, Trump, 78, made it clear that this campaign would be his last. "No, I don't [see myself running again]," he told Attkisson, adding, "I think that will be it. I don't see that at all." The former president, however, expressed optimism about his chances in 2024, stating, "Hopefully, we're going to be successful."
Trump's remarks mark a significant moment in what has been an unusually contentious election cycle. Having lost to Joe Biden in 2020 and subsequently refusing to concede, Trump fueled widespread claims of a "stolen election," culminating in the January 6 Capitol riots. Now, facing Harris-who ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Biden dropped out-Trump finds himself in a tight race, with Harris holding a slight lead in several polls.
Harris has seen a surge in support following Biden's withdrawal, particularly in key battleground states. Polls from Real Clear Politics have placed her ahead of Trump nationally by 2.6 points, while her lead extends to as much as 4-6 points in critical swing states. A recent NBC News poll revealed Harris has gained 16 points in favorability since July, marking one of the most significant polling surges for a major party presidential candidate.
As Trump's final run for the White House progresses, his policy proposals have sparked widespread controversy. Democrats have expressed alarm over the contents of "Project 2025," a nearly 1,000-page blueprint from the conservative Heritage Foundation outlining sweeping changes for the federal government. Among the more controversial elements of the plan are proposed bans on pornography and abortion pills, mass firings of civil servants, and expanded executive powers for the president. Critics fear that a second Trump term could see him ruling more autocratically, especially as he has not committed to accepting the election results if he loses.
During a town hall hosted by Fox News' Sean Hannity in December, Trump addressed these concerns when Hannity asked whether he would ever abuse presidential powers as retribution against political enemies. Trump replied that he would be a "dictator" only on "day one" of his administration but clarified that his focus would be on key policy goals, including border security and energy independence. "I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill... That's not retribution," Trump said.
Trump's potential political future was also discussed in the Full Measure interview, where he was asked about the roles individuals like tech billionaire Elon Musk, former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could play in his administration. Although Trump stated that no deals had been made, he hinted that Kennedy could have a role in health and environmental issues, referencing Kennedy's interest in reducing the use of chemicals in the U.S. food supply. "Bobby will do great on health and on the environment," Trump said, adding that Kennedy would look at other countries where less chemicals are used, and "the people are healthier than they are in the United States."
Trump's reference to Kennedy came after the former independent presidential candidate endorsed Trump for the 2024 election. Kennedy, who had launched a bid as an independent, withdrew from the race to support Trump, solidifying his place as part of Trump's transition team should the GOP nominee win in November.
Trump also praised Gabbard, describing her as a "common sense person" who would focus on foreign policy if she were to join his administration. Gabbard, a military veteran, ran for president as a Democrat in 2020 but has since shifted her support to Trump in this election cycle. Trump further highlighted Musk's potential role, pointing to the Tesla CEO's expertise in cutting costs and increasing government efficiency. "Elon is Elon," Trump said, praising Musk's ability to identify waste and inefficiencies in the federal government.
While Trump remains focused on his 2024 campaign, his comments have raised speculation about whether this truly marks the end of his political career should he lose. His decision to rule out another run in 2028 signals the former president's confidence in securing victory this November. With polling data showing a narrow margin between Trump and Harris, the race remains unpredictable as both candidates vie for crucial swing state support in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
