In a recent interview with Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Sharyl Attkisson, former President Donald Trump indicated that if he loses the 2024 presidential election, he will not run again in 2028. This is the first time Trump, known for his persistent rhetoric around election fraud and victory, has openly expressed that his third bid for the White House could be his last. The interview, which aired on Full Measure on Sunday, took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence and covered a wide range of topics, including his health, his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his potential cabinet picks.
When asked by Attkisson whether he sees himself running in 2028 if he does not win in November, Trump responded definitively: “No, I don’t. No, I don’t. I think that that will be it. I don’t see that at all. I think that hopefully we’re gonna be successful.”
This comment marks a rare admission of possible defeat by Trump, who has been vocal about his unfounded claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election and has already stoked concerns about election interference in 2024. His remarks on not pursuing a future candidacy contrast sharply with his usual rhetoric, where he insists that any loss could only be due to voter fraud.
Age and Longevity in Focus
Trump, now 78 years old, is the oldest Republican presidential nominee in U.S. history. If he were to win in 2024, he would be the oldest president ever inaugurated, surpassing current President Joe Biden. By 2028, Trump would be 82, a year older than Biden, raising questions about his longevity in politics and his physical stamina.
During the interview, Trump dismissed concerns about his age and health. He referenced surviving two assassination attempts in recent months and said he remains in good health thanks to his golfing routine. “I can’t be scared because if you’re scared, you can’t do your job,” Trump said, brushing aside concerns of danger. He also joked that golf is “quite a dangerous sport,” referring to an incident at his Florida club earlier this month.
Attkisson pressed Trump on his dietary habits, particularly his well-known preference for fast food. The former president, known for enjoying hamburgers, admitted, “I like perhaps all the wrong food,” but added that he has no plans to change his habits. “I have people lecturing me for years, ‘Oh don’t eat this, don’t eat that,’ ” he said. “They’re gone, they have passed away long ago. And here I am.”
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Potential Cabinet Picks and Election Strategy
Though Trump did not offer concrete names, he was asked about whether he would appoint figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Elon Musk, and Tulsi Gabbard—who have all endorsed him—to his cabinet. Trump said it was “too early” to make such decisions but did not rule out the possibility.
His 2024 campaign has centered largely around criticisms of Biden’s presidency and the current administration’s policies. Trump has repeatedly suggested that he would not have run again if Biden had been a successful president. “I wish he was a great president because I wouldn’t be here right now,” Trump stated during the interview, echoing similar sentiments he shared in the first presidential debate.
The 2024 Election Landscape
Despite Trump’s confidence in winning, recent polls suggest a tight race between him and his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after Biden withdrew from the race earlier this year. Harris, at 59 years old, represents a younger generation of leadership, a point Trump has tried to leverage in his campaign, criticizing Biden’s age and mental fitness. However, this criticism may backfire, as Trump himself is facing similar questions about his own age.
Recent national polls show a fluctuating contest. An NBC News poll gave Harris a five-point lead with a notable surge in popularity, while a New York Times/Siena College poll placed Trump ahead in critical swing states like Arizona and Georgia. These states, pivotal to determining the election outcome, are once again proving to be battlegrounds in the 2024 race.
Trump’s Last Stand?
While Trump’s latest comments suggest he may not pursue another run if he loses this election, it is important to view his statements with caution. Throughout his political career, Trump has been known for making unpredictable decisions, and many of his public claims have shifted over time. His remarks on voter fraud and election interference also make it difficult to gauge whether he would fully bow out of the political arena after a defeat.
However, for now, Trump is focusing on securing a win in 2024, dismissing the idea of a fourth campaign. His resolve remains strong as he campaigns across the country, focusing on key issues such as the economy, border security, and foreign policy, while continuing to galvanize his base.
Whether or not Trump follows through on his assertion about 2028, his immediate priority is clear: winning the 2024 election and securing another term in the White House.
