In a rare moment of concession, former President Donald Trump has stated that he would not run for president again in 2028 if he loses his bid to reclaim the White House in 2024. During an interview with journalist Sharyl Attkisson for her show “Full Measure,” Trump responded to a question about a potential fourth presidential run by saying, “No, I don’t. I think that will be, that will be it.” This statement is significant as Trump typically avoids acknowledging the possibility of losing an election, instead attributing any potential defeat to widespread voter fraud.
This declaration comes on the heels of his 2020 defeat, where he repeatedly and falsely claimed widespread election fraud. He has already begun making similar claims about the upcoming 2024 election, suggesting he may be setting the stage for further accusations if he loses.
Beyond the 2028 election, Trump also addressed his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during the interview. He took credit for the development of the COVID-19 vaccines during his presidency but simultaneously expressed skepticism about their safety. He suggested that Republicans have become distrustful of the vaccines while Democrats maintain trust in them.
This statement highlights the ongoing political divide surrounding the pandemic and the vaccine. While Trump has consistently played down the severity of the pandemic and resisted public health measures, he is now attempting to leverage the development of the vaccines as a success of his administration.
The interview concluded with a question about how Trump maintains his health. He responded by stating that he tries to “eat properly,” a claim that drew an incredulous response from Attkisson, who acknowledged Trump’s well-documented fondness for hamburgers.
Overall, this interview offers a glimpse into Trump’s current mindset as he campaigns for a return to the White House. While he has made a rare admission about potentially stepping away from politics in 2028, his continued focus on his own successes and the questioning of election integrity suggest that he remains a contentious figure within American politics.
