If Obama and Trump went head-to-head in the 2028 election, here’s who would win.
It seems like a plot from political fan fiction — Donald Trump facing off against Barack Obama in a presidential election.
However, a recent poll reveals how Americans claim they would vote if these two were to compete on the 2028 ballot.
“I’d love that…”
Naturally, the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment makes such a contest impossible. Presidents are limited to two terms, which disqualifies both individuals.
Nonetheless, with Trump openly suggesting the possibility of a third term and Obama staying silent on the issue, this hypothetical clash has garnered significant interest.
In April, President Donald Trump was inquired about his feelings on running against his predecessor in 2028. His reply? Utter excitement.
“I’d love that. That would be a good one. I’d like that,” Trump expressed to reporters in the Oval Office.
Pressed further, he remarked:
“No one is urging me to run, and there’s quite a tale about seeking a third term. I’m not sure. I’ve never really explored it. They say there’s a way to make it happen, but I’m not familiar with that, and I haven’t looked into it. My focus is on doing an excellent job. We have four years ahead of us… It’s still nearly four years away.”
This isn’t the first occasion Trump has suggested he might test the boundaries of the constitution. Earlier this year, he mentioned to NBC News: “Many people are encouraging me to pursue it. However, I usually respond that we have a long journey ahead, you know, it’s quite early in the administration.”
And with a smile, he added: “I enjoy working. I’m serious, but I’m not… it’s way too soon to consider it. There are ways [through] which you could achieve it.”
The imagined figures are in
Although this matchup may never occur in real life, Daily Mail and J.L. Partners decided to gauge the opinions of American voters regardless. They conducted a survey with 1,013 registered voters, and the findings were quite remarkable.
- 52% indicated they would choose Barack Obama
- 41% expressed support for Donald Trump
Analyzing the results by demographics:
- 73% of Hispanic voters favored Obama
- 68% of Black voters also preferred Obama
Interestingly, Obama was the only recent Democratic candidate to outperform Trump in this hypothetical polling. When Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris were included, Trump emerged victorious.
Obama vs. Trump: The Race That Never Happened
Obama first entered the White House in 2008 and won reelection in 2012. Trump then achieved a surprising victory in 2016, lost in 2020, and returned to power in 2024 — establishing both men as the most influential political figures of the last twenty years.
However, despite their legacies being closely linked, they have never faced each other directly at the polls. At least not until now, in the realm of “what if” polling.
Could it ever truly occur?
At this moment, the thought of Trump running in 2028 — or Obama returning from political retirement — appears quite improbable. The law makes it almost unfeasible, yet Trump has hinted at the possibility more than once.
As he stated: “I’m not joking… there are methods.”
Altering the Constitution would require the consent of two-thirds of both the House and Senate, along with ratification from at least 38 state legislatures.
Unlikely? Certainly. Impossible? Given the current state of American politics, it would be wise not to dismiss anything.