WASHINGTON, Sept 23 — Former US President Donald Trump has stated that he will not run for the presidency again in 2028 if he loses the upcoming November 5 election. In an interview on Sharyl Attkisson’s “Full Measure” programme, Trump, 78, said, “That will be it,” dismissing the possibility of a fourth consecutive bid. “I don’t see that at all. Hopefully, we will be successful,” he added.

Trump is currently locked in a tight race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, with polls showing both candidates neck-and-neck in crucial battleground states. Harris has recently gained a slight edge in national polls, making the race even more competitive.

Having launched his reelection campaign for the 2020 election on the same day as his 2017 inauguration, Trump announced his current White House bid in November 2022. He continues to falsely claim that his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden was due to widespread voter fraud. Trump faces multiple federal and state criminal charges related to his attempts to overturn the election results, though he denies any wrongdoing, framing the indictments as political attacks. He has also employed increasingly dire rhetoric about the consequences of a loss in 2024.

Meanwhile, Harris, 59, has emphasized the election’s importance for the future of US democracy while also focusing on everyday issues like family expenses and housing costs.

When asked if the four-year gap between campaigns had helped him regroup and determine whom he could trust, Trump acknowledged that it “would have been easier” if his campaigns had been continuous. However, he pointed out that the break exposed how disloyal some of his former allies were.

During the interview, conducted at his Florida resort, Trump also noted that it was “too early” to make any decisions about potential cabinet members should he win the election.