Days after posting an AI-generated image with the words “Trump 2028,” US President Donald Trump cleared the air. He said he will not be the Republican nominee in the next presidential election. He made the statement during a long Cabinet meeting at the White House.

“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.”

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among those present. Both are seen as strong contenders for the party’s future leadership.

He claims Republicans have an edge

Trump said Republicans are in a stronger position than Democrats for 2028. He blamed the Democrats’ “really bad policy” for hurting their support. He insisted his party would be better prepared for the next election.

Third-term talk raised constitutional questions

Trump had repeatedly teased the idea of a third term, even though the US Constitution does not allow it. The 22nd Amendment states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Despite that, Trump had hinted at running again and even sold “Trump 2028” merchandise.

On October 29, while travelling on Air Force One, he admitted that the rules were clear. “I would say that if you read it, it’s pretty clear, I’m not allowed to run,” he said. “It’s too bad.”

Vance and Rubio in focus

Trump has praised JD Vance in the past. In August, he called him the “most likely” person to carry the MAGA movement forward and said he would “probably be favoured at this point” for the 2028 nomination.

He has also spoken positively about Marco Rubio, even though Rubio once ran against him in 2016. Now both men sit in his Cabinet. Their presence has strengthened speculation that one of them could become the next Republican candidate.