‘Not going to be me’: Trump rules himself out of 2028 race, signals GOP successor likely within his administration

Days after hinting at a 2028 presidential run in 2025 and sharing an AI-generated image of himself on Truth Social with the slogan “Trump 2028,” US President Donald Trump has now moved to clear the air, delivering his clearest statement yet that he will not be the Republican nominee in 2028. He predicted that his successor would emerge from within his own administration, making the remarks during an extended Cabinet meeting in which he argued that Republicans would be better positioned than Democrats in 2028 due to what he called the latter’s “really bad policy”.

“It’s not going to be me,” Trump said. “It’s going to be somebody that’s probably sitting at this table. It could be a couple of people sitting at this table – could be a couple of people running together sitting at this table.” Those present included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both widely viewed as strong contenders for the party’s future nomination.

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Remarks follow months of speculation over unconstitutional third term

Trump had teased the idea of seeking a third term throughout his first year back in office, despite the constitutional prohibition. The 22nd Amendment states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” In spite of this, Trump floated the notion of running again and even sold Trump 2028 hats.

On October 29, aboard Air Force One, he acknowledged the restriction. “I would say that if you read it, it’s pretty clear, I’m not allowed to run,” he told reporters. “It’s too bad.”

In August, Trump told reporters that Vance is the “most likely” heir to his MAGA movement and would “probably be favoured at this point” to secure the 2028 Republican nomination. He has also spoken positively of Rubio, who previously ran against him in the 2016 Republican presidential primary.