President Donald Trump is imagining a 2028 presidential showdown with former President Barack Obama, and he seems pretty confident about how it would turn out.
In a new interview with Stephen A. Smith, Trump claimed he would “easily” defeat Obama in a hypothetical election, despite the fact that neither man would be eligible to run under the Constitution’s presidential term limits.
Obama served two terms in the White House, while Trump is currently halfway through his second term. Still, Trump has repeatedly teased the possibility of seeking another term in 2028, even as he has acknowledged that the law stands in his way. Now, he’s entertaining the idea of a matchup with one of the Democratic Party’s most recognizable figures.
Trump-Obama Showdown
In an extensive interview with Smith, Trump was asked about a hypothetical election against Obama.
“Let’s say, hypothetically that — because I don’t want to hear about circumventing the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution and running for a third term — No, let’s just speak in hypotheticals,” Smith said in a video shared via YouTube on Thursday, November 12. “If you could run for president again, so could Barack Obama. What would Donald Trump do if he had to square off against Barack Obama for the presidency of the United States?”
Trump was quick to point out that he received “many more votes” than Obama.
Obama won back-to-back elections, beating John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. The Democratic politician received 69.5 million votes in his first win, followed by 65.9 million in his second.
The former “Apprentice” host has run for office in three consecutive elections, beating Hilary Clinton — despite receiving fewer popular votes — in 2016, losing to Joe Biden in 2020, and then defeating Kamala Harris in 2024.
Trump received 62.9 million popular votes against Clinton, 74.2 million against Biden, and 77.3 million against Harris.
“I think I’d beat him easily,” he added. “I think he’s highly overrated.”
When asked to elaborate, Trump simply added, “I just think that’s just my opinion. I think he’s overrated. I didn’t think he was a good president. I thought he was a divider.”
Throughout his second term, Trump has hinted at a possible run for a third term, even going as far as selling “Trump 2028” merch.
Trump Claims He Would ‘Easily’ Beat Obama in 2028 Election: ‘He’s Highly Overrated’