As the United States barrels toward the 2028 presidential election, the political landscape is already teeming with intrigue, ambition, and more than a little skepticism. At the heart of the latest developments are three prominent figures—Senator Ted Cruz, activist David Hogg, and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene—each navigating their own tumultuous paths amid a climate of party infighting, shifting alliances, and public scrutiny.
According to The Telegraph, Senator Ted Cruz is making early moves to position himself as a leading contender for the Republican nomination in 2028. Cruz, the Texas Republican known for his sharp intellect and combative style, has begun to distance himself from some of former President Donald Trump’s signature policies, particularly the tariffs that Cruz warns could amount to "one of the biggest tax hikes in a long, long time." This rhetorical shift is notable, given Cruz’s reputation as a staunch Trump ally in the Senate, where he played a critical role in helping the president survive two impeachment trials.
But Cruz’s strategy is more nuanced than outright opposition. As Republican strategist Vin Weber told The Telegraph, "The way I see it is that Senator Cruz has taken on a couple of positions which, in the very short term, are at odds with the president of the United States, but in all likelihood will age very well within the Republican Party." Weber, a former member of Congress, believes that Cruz’s intellectual leadership and advocacy for free-market principles could become increasingly attractive to Republicans as the party redefines itself in the post-Trump era.
Still, the odds are formidable. JD Vance, the current vice president, sits atop the polls with 46% support among Republicans, while Cruz lags behind at just 5%, according to a recent JL Partners survey cited by The Telegraph. Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur who ran in 2024, trails at 12%. Vance’s popularity among the MAGA base and his media savvy make him the clear frontrunner, while Cruz’s challenge is to convince the party faithful that a return to traditional conservatism is both desirable and viable.
Cruz’s recent actions have drawn praise from some corners of the right-leaning media. After rebuffing FCC chairman Brendan Carr’s threat to suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel over a controversial monologue, Cruz was lauded by The Wall Street Journal for defending free speech and free-market economics. The editorial board wrote, "Ted Cruz’s finest hour," adding that Cruz has emerged as a rare member of Congress willing to take principled stands even when they diverge from Trump’s populism.
Yet, as The Telegraph notes, Cruz’s approach is not without risk. His best shot at the nomination depends on a significant backlash against Trump-era policies—particularly if tariffs are blamed for rising consumer prices. Should that happen, Cruz’s small-government, free-market message could suddenly be back in vogue. But if the MAGA movement retains its grip on the party, Cruz’s chances remain slim. Conservative writer Matt Lewis observed, "I guess Cruz is betting on a slight return back to mainstream Reagan conservatism in the Republican Party. I think that’s unlikely, but plausible."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is grappling with its own internal strife and public relations woes. As reported on October 6, 2025, Democrats have been accused of engaging in exaggerated fearmongering, especially in the context of the ongoing government shutdown—dubbed the "Schumer Shutdown" by critics, who blame Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his caucus for prioritizing healthcare for undocumented immigrants over keeping the government open.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) offered a candid assessment of the party’s messaging predicament, stating, "I actually don’t think that people will join this fight unless they think the stakes are actually existential… whether or not the polls tell us that everybody in the country believes that democracy is at risk." According to the reporting, this relentless emphasis on existential threats has left the Democrats with little room to maneuver, forcing them to maintain a state of perpetual alarm to motivate their base—even when polling suggests the strategy may be backfiring.
The party’s penchant for overreaction was on full display earlier this year when David Hogg, the activist and DNC vice chair, promised to raise $20 million through his PAC, Leaders We Deserve, to support progressive primary challengers. The Democratic National Committee responded by hastily "reinterpreting" its gender qualification rules, effectively forcing Hogg to step down from his leadership post. The move drew criticism for being unnecessarily dramatic and for furthering the perception of the party as "uncooperative, gender-obsessed weirdos who dislike men," as one commentator put it.
In the end, Hogg’s grand plan fizzled. Campaign finance records show that Leaders We Deserve spent less than $455,000 on candidates, with the bulk of that—about $300,000—going to New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who had already raised millions independently. The PAC spent far more on consultants ($2.5 million), digital ads ($1.1 million), donor lists ($965,000), and even a fitness class subscription (nearly $5,000). Of the three candidates supported, just one was successful, underscoring the gap between Hogg’s lofty promises and the PAC’s actual impact.
Across the aisle, not all Republican ambitions are being taken seriously. On October 6, 2025, an analyst publicly dismissed Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s apparent presidential aspirations as "delusional," highlighting the skepticism within even her own party about her viability as a national candidate. Greene, who was photographed at a campaign event for Donald Trump in Savannah, Georgia, on September 24, 2024, remains a polarizing figure, emblematic of the deep divisions and competing ambitions that continue to roil the GOP.
Against this backdrop, the stage is set for a volatile and unpredictable 2028 presidential race. Cruz, with his deep experience, fundraising prowess, and willingness to stake out independent positions, could yet surprise the pundits—if the political winds shift. Hogg’s failed gambit serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overpromising and underdelivering in the age of hyper-partisan politics. And figures like Greene remind everyone that, in today’s political climate, even the most audacious ambitions are subject to public scrutiny and doubt.
As both parties wrestle with their own internal contradictions and strategic missteps, the American electorate is left to watch, wait, and wonder who will ultimately emerge to shape the country’s future. The only certainty is that the road to 2028 will be anything but dull.