A new national poll suggests that if former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump were both eligible to run in the 2028 presidential election, Obama would emerge victorious in a head-to-head matchup.
Although the U.S. Constitution prohibits presidents from serving more than two terms, speculation and political curiosity continue to spark hypothetical debates about what might happen if those rules were changed.
In a poll conducted by J.L. Partners and reported by the Daily Mail, 1,013 registered voters were asked who they would support if both Obama and Trump were on the ballot in 2028. The result:
52% said they would vote for Obama
41% said they would support Trump
7% were either unsure or would vote for someone else
Even when factoring in the poll’s 3.1% margin of error, Obama holds a clear advantage.
Demographics Behind Obama’s Lead
The poll results revealed strong support for Obama among:
Hispanic voters, with 73% favoring him over Trump
Black voters, among whom 68% chose Obama
Independent voters, with Obama leading 50% to Trump’s 39%
Trump has previously expressed interest in serving beyond two terms, suggesting in interviews that there are “methods” to return to office despite constitutional limits. Similarly, Obama remains a popular figure among Democrats, even though he has shown no interest in returning to politics.
Trump vs. Clinton Scenario Still Close
The same poll also tested a hypothetical rematch between Trump and Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee. In that scenario:
Trump edged out Clinton 44% to 43%,
With the rest of voters either undecided or backing another option
Mixed Reviews for Trump’s Job Performance
Respondents were also split on Trump’s current job performance during his second term:
49% approved of how he’s handling the presidency
51% disapproved
Despite legal and constitutional barriers, Trump has called the idea of facing Obama on the ballot “a good one,” stating in an interview with Fox News earlier this year, “I’d love that …. That would be a good one. I’d like that.”