It feels like a decade ago, doesn't it? The 2024 election was basically a fever dream that ended with a map bleeding red and a collective "what now?" from half the country. But here we are, it’s January 18, 2026. The dust hasn't just settled; it’s been paved over by a whole new set of political realities. If you're looking for where are the presidential candidates today, the answer isn't just a list of GPS coordinates. It’s a wild mix of executive orders, book tours, and a massive fraud scandal that’s currently eating Minnesota alive.
Let’s be real—politics moves fast, but the people who run for the White House never really "go away." They just pivot. Some are wielding more power than ever, while others are trying to figure out how to stay relevant in a world that’s moved on to the 2028 "shadow primary."
The West Wing Reality: Donald Trump’s Second Act
Honestly, if you thought the second term would be a quiet victory lap, you haven't been paying attention. Today, President Donald Trump isn't just in the White House; he’s essentially trying to bypass the traditional global order.
As of this morning, the big news is the "Board of Peace." It sounds like something out of a Tom Clancy novel, but it’s very real. Trump is currently inviting world leaders to join this new body to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza. Jordan, Greece, and Pakistan just confirmed their invites today. It’s a bold move that’s basically a middle finger to the United Nations. He’s telling the world: "If you want a seat at the table, it’ll cost you a billion-dollar contribution to the rebuilding fund."
Domestically, the guy is a whirlwind. He’s already signed 229 executive orders since taking office a year ago. That’s a staggering number. He’s currently mulling over military strikes in Iran and has this weird, persistent obsession with Greenland that just won't die. It’s vintage Trump—unpredictable, aggressive, and keeping everyone from the Pentagon to the press corps on a permanent state of high alert.
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Kamala Harris: The "107 Days" Post-Game
Then there’s Kamala Harris. Losing a presidential race is a specific kind of trauma, especially when it was the shortest campaign in modern history. But she’s not hiding.
Right now, Harris is in the middle of a massive book tour for her autobiography, 107 Days. Just a few days ago, she was in Jackson, Mississippi. The mayor there literally gave her a key to the city and declared it "Kamala Harris Day." It’s a smart play. She’s staying in the public eye, testing the waters, and building a Super PAC called "Fight for the People."
She’s basically in "wait and see" mode. While some Democrats are already looking toward Gavin Newsom for 2028, Harris is keeping her base warm. She’s talking about the 90 million people who didn't vote in 2024 and trying to figure out how to capture that energy for whatever comes next. It’s not quite a campaign, but it’s definitely not a retirement.
The Minnesota Meltdown: Tim Walz’s Rough January
If you want to know where are the presidential candidates today and you're looking at Tim Walz, the answer is "in a lot of trouble."
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It’s kind of tragic, actually. The guy went from being the "America’s Dad" of the Democratic ticket to presiding over a massive fraud scandal in Minnesota that might top $9 billion. Just this month, on January 5, Walz officially dropped his bid for a third term as governor. He said he couldn't run a campaign while dealing with the investigations.
Today, he’s basically holding the line against federal ICE agents in his state, while also dealing with a "Day of Unity" he proclaimed to remember victims of local violence. He’s a man under siege. The GOP is using the Minnesota fraud situation as a national talking point, with Vice President JD Vance calling him a "joke" during White House briefings. It’s a sharp fall from the energy of the 2024 convention.
The Rise of the Vice: JD Vance in the Driver’s Seat
Speaking of JD Vance, he’s arguably the most active person on this list. He isn't just sitting in a ceremonial office waiting for the President to call. Vance has become the administration's "enforcer" on the ground.
He’s been heavily involved in amplifying the Minnesota scandal, using his platform to contrast the administration's "law and order" message with the chaos in Democratic-led states. He’s also the clear frontrunner for 2028. Recent polls show that 65% of Republicans would consider him for the top spot. He’s managed to do something few Trump VPs or allies have done: keep the boss happy while building his own distinct brand.
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The Others: Where Did the Rest Go?
What about the fringe players and the "what-ifs"?
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: He’s currently serving as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It’s exactly as chaotic as you’d imagine. He’s pushing for major shifts in food safety and vaccine transparency, which has the pharmaceutical industry in a total panic.
- Marco Rubio: He’s the Secretary of State, currently busy trying to manage the fallout from Trump’s "Board of Peace" and the various military operations the President has ordered in nine different locations.
- Gavin Newsom: He’s not a 2024 "candidate" in the final sense, but he’s the guy everyone is watching. He’s banked $4 million in a leadership PAC and is basically running a shadow campaign for 2028 from Sacramento.
The 2028 Shadow Primary Standings
| Potential Candidate | Current Status | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| JD Vance | Vice President | "Law and Order," Border Enforcement |
| Kamala Harris | Former VP / Author | Voting Rights, Party Mobilization |
| Gavin Newsom | Governor of CA | National Democrat Leadership, Fundraising |
| Ron DeSantis | Governor of FL | Conservative Policy, Education |
| J.B. Pritzker | Governor of IL | Economic Policy, Party Funding |
Why This Matters for You
You might think, "Okay, cool, they're busy, so what?" But the reality is that the movements these people make today dictate the laws you’ll live under tomorrow. Trump’s executive orders are already shifting how housing works—he recently announced moves to stop institutional investors from buying single-family homes. That’s a huge deal for anyone trying to buy a house.
On the flip side, the chaos in Minnesota with Tim Walz is a cautionary tale about oversight. When billions in public funds go missing, it’s the taxpayers who feel the burn.
Actionable Insights: How to Keep Track
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just wait for the 2028 campaign to start. It’s already happening.
- Watch the PAC filings: Follow where the money is going for people like Newsom and Harris. That tells you which states they think are "winnable" in two years.
- Monitor the Executive Registry: Trump is using executive orders at a record pace. These often have immediate impacts on interest rates and trade that your local news might miss.
- Check the "Shadow" Travel: When a politician like Harris visits a swing state for a "book tour," they aren't just selling books. They’re meeting with local donors and organizers.
The political landscape of 2026 is a weird, fast-moving target. Whether it's Trump’s global power plays or Walz’s domestic struggles, the 2024 class is still very much in the arena. They're just playing a different game now.
To stay updated on the latest shifts in the executive branch or to see a full list of the 229 executive orders issued this term, you should check the official Federal Register or the White House briefings page. Understanding the current status of these figures is the only way to predict where the country is headed next.