In a week marked by swirling speculation and pointed denials, the conversation around the 2028 U.S. presidential race has taken a dramatic turn, with key political figures addressing rumors and outlining their intentions for the years ahead. At the center of the storm is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, who firmly shut down rumors of a future presidential bid, while billionaire Mark Cuban weighed in on the conditions that might prompt him to enter the political fray.
On August 15, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took to X (formerly Twitter) to make his position unmistakably clear: he will not be seeking the presidency in 2028. Kennedy, who began his 2024 campaign as a Democrat before pivoting to an independent bid and ultimately joining President Donald Trump’s administration, has been the subject of persistent rumors regarding his political ambitions. But Kennedy left no room for doubt in his public statement. “Let me be clear: I am not running for president in 2028,” he wrote. “My loyalty is to President Trump and the mission we’ve started. ...We’ll keep moving forward, we’ll keep delivering wins, and no smear campaign will stop us.”
According to The Washington Post, Kennedy attributed the resurgence of these rumors to “DC lobby shops” intent on sowing discord between him and President Trump. He described the rumors as a “flat-out lie,” underscoring his commitment to the Trump administration’s agenda. “The swamp is in full panic mode,” Kennedy declared. “DC lobby shops are laboring fiercely to drive a wedge between President Trump and me, hoping to thwart our team from dismantling the status quo and advancing @POTUS’ Make America Healthy Again agenda.”
The speculation reached a fever pitch after far-right influencer Laura Loomer accused Kennedy’s principal deputy chief of staff, Stefanie Spear, of plotting a future presidential run for her boss. Loomer told Politico, “I think that there’s a clear intention by Stefanie Spear to utilize her position to try to lay the groundwork for a 2028 RFK presidential run.” The situation escalated further when Kennedy’s super PAC held an organizing call, which some interpreted as a sign of campaign groundwork. However, Tony Lyons, the head of the MAHA PAC supporting Kennedy, told The Hill, “The story that Secretary Kennedy was running for president was a made up story. There’s no truth to it whatsoever.”
Kennedy doubled down on his loyalty to Trump and the administration’s goals, specifically the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda. He praised his aide, Stefanie Spear, as “a fierce, loyal warrior for MAHA who proudly serves in the Trump Administration and works every day to advance President Trump’s vision for a healthier, stronger America.” Kennedy went on to express his gratitude for the opportunity to serve, writing, “The president has made himself the answer to my 20-year prayer that God would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic — and that’s exactly what my team and I will do until the day he leaves office.”
Despite the denials, the persistent chatter around Kennedy’s political future reflects the broader uncertainty and jockeying already underway for 2028. As The Hill noted, the next presidential race is still years away, but potential candidates are already making moves to build support among primary voters and fundraise for possible campaigns. On the Republican side, President Trump has publicly suggested that Vice President JD Vance is the “most likely” heir apparent to his MAGA movement. This view appears to be supported by data: a recent Emerson College survey released in late July 2025 showed Vance as the leading Republican contender for voters in North Carolina, with a 7-point jump since June. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio trailed behind, with 7 percent and 5 percent support, respectively.
Meanwhile, the specter of President Trump seeking a third term has cast a long shadow over the political landscape. Although Trump has hinted at Vice President JD Vance as a possible successor, he has also toyed with the idea of running again himself. In early August, Trump boasted, “I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, a record that they say won’t be beaten unless I run again.” When pressed on his intentions, Trump responded, “No, probably not. Probably not.” Yet, the mere suggestion of a third term has prompted responses from both allies and critics.
One of the most intriguing voices in this debate is that of billionaire Mark Cuban, who has long resisted calls to run for president. Cuban, who supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, addressed the issue on a recent podcast. “I’m not going to do it. I’ve said the only way I would do it is if Trump tried to run for a third term. Because then that’s just changing everything, right? And that’s a true threat,” Cuban explained. He was candid about the personal costs of such a decision, saying, “But other than that, I’m not going to put my family through that, you know?” With three children aged 15 to 21, Cuban expressed reservations about exposing them to the “grief and criticism” that comes with a presidential campaign. “When I’m 95 and taking – or 105 and taking my last breaths, right? I don’t want to say, ‘Well, gee, I ran for president. Maybe won, maybe didn’t,’” he added.
Cuban’s comments underscore the profound impact that Trump’s moves—real or rumored—continue to have on the American political landscape. The possibility of a third-term run by Trump is seen by Cuban as a “true threat” to the established order, one that could force new contenders into the arena. At the same time, Cuban’s reluctance to expose his family to the rigors and abuse of a high-profile campaign highlights the personal sacrifices that come with public service at the highest level.
Amid these political machinations, Kennedy has continued to take decisive action in his role as Health and Human Services secretary. Earlier in August, he announced a controversial decision to slash nearly $500 million from the development of mRNA vaccines—a move that has drawn criticism from scientific experts, who argue it could fuel further skepticism around science and public health. MRNA technology, which produced safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines during Trump’s first term, has been a focal point of Kennedy’s policy agenda, aligning with his long-held, often contentious views on vaccine safety.
As the dust settles on this week’s flurry of statements and speculation, one thing is clear: the road to 2028 is already being paved, even as those at the center of the rumors insist they are focused on the present. Kennedy has pledged to continue serving under President Trump “until the day he leaves office,” while figures like Mark Cuban remain on the sidelines—at least for now—watching to see how the political winds may shift. The maneuvering, denials, and strategic positioning all point to a political landscape in flux, where loyalty, ambition, and the ever-present influence of Donald Trump continue to define the contours of American politics.
For now, Kennedy’s message is unequivocal, and Cuban’s conditions are clear. But in the unpredictable world of U.S. politics, few are willing to rule anything out entirely. The nation watches, waits, and wonders what the next chapter will bring.
