Let's be real. If you’re asking who's the next president of the united states, you’re likely looking for a name that isn't Donald Trump. He’s already in the Oval Office. Since January 20, 2025, the 47th President has been busy checking off his second-term bucket list, but the American political machine never actually stops. It just reloads.
We are currently in that weird, jittery middle ground. It's January 2026. The next election is years away, yet the shadow-boxing for the 2028 cycle has already begun in earnest.
The Current State of Play
Donald Trump won the 2024 election with 312 electoral votes. It wasn't just a win; it was a sweep of all seven swing states. But here is the thing: the 22nd Amendment is a hard wall. Unless someone manages to repeal a constitutional amendment—which, honestly, is basically impossible in today’s fractured climate—Trump cannot run in 2028. He’s done after this.
So, the "next" president is a vacancy waiting to be filled.
Most people are staring at JD Vance. He’s the Vice President, he’s young, and he just won the 2025 CPAC straw poll with a crushing 61%. When you’re the VP, you’re the heir apparent. That’s the rule. But politics loves to break its own rules.
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The Republican Bench
Vance isn’t alone. Far from it.
You’ve got Marco Rubio, currently serving as Secretary of State. He’s got the foreign policy chops now to go along with his previous Senate experience. Trump has even mentioned both Vance and Rubio as his "successors" in interviews. That’s a massive signal to the donor class.
- JD Vance: The incumbent VP with the "Make America Great Again" base in his pocket.
- Marco Rubio: The diplomat who bridges the gap between old-school GOP and the new movement.
- Ron DeSantis: Still the Governor of Florida, still waiting for his second act.
- Sarah Huckabee Sanders: A favorite for those who want the Trump energy with a different face.
The Democratic Scramble
On the other side of the aisle, the Democrats are essentially rebuilding from the studs. Kamala Harris lost in 2024, and while she’s still a huge name, the party is looking for fresh blood. It's kinda like a sports team that just missed the playoffs and is now looking at their draft picks.
Josh Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania, is the name you hear in every coffee shop in DC. He’s popular in a state that Democrats must win. Then there’s Gavin Newsom. He’s been acting like a candidate for years, even when he wasn't.
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But don't overlook the "Midwestern Miracle" types. Tim Walz is still a factor, and Gretchen Whitmer remains the "Big Gretch" that Michigan loves. The Democrats are currently fighting over their 2028 primary calendar. They want to put South Carolina or maybe Georgia first to make sure their nominee is tested by a diverse group of voters early on.
Could There Be a Third Term?
You might have seen the "Trump 2028" hats. The Trump Organization actually started selling them in early 2025. Trump himself has been cheeky about it, telling NBC he "wasn't joking" about a third term but then later saying he’d probably only serve two.
Let's talk logistics. To get a third term, you’d need:
- Two-thirds of both the House and Senate to propose an amendment.
- Three-fourths of all state legislatures to ratify it.
In a country where we can't agree on what color the sky is half the time, getting 38 states to agree on changing presidential term limits is a tall order. Basically, it’s not happening. The who's the next president of the united states question will almost certainly be answered by a new face in January 2029.
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The Wildcards
What about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? Or someone totally outside the box like Elon Musk (who can't run because he wasn't born here, but he’s certainly influencing the conversation)?
The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement is a real voting bloc now. Whoever runs in 2028 will have to court the people who care more about seed oils and raw milk than traditional tax brackets. It’s a strange new world.
Why the 2026 Midterms Matter
Everyone forgets the midterms. Don't be that person. This November, we have the 2026 midterm elections.
If the Republicans keep the House and Senate, the path for a Vance or Rubio candidacy becomes a lot smoother. If the Democrats flip the House—which often happens to the party in power during midterms—the next two years of the Trump presidency will be a gridlocked mess of investigations. That usually hurts the sitting VP's chances of moving up to the top spot.
Actionable Steps for the Informed Voter
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on who will lead the country next, stop watching the national polls for a minute. They don't mean much yet.
- Watch the Governors: Keep an eye on Josh Shapiro (PA), Wes Moore (MD), and Brian Kemp (GA). Governors have a track record of winning the presidency because they have "executive experience" that Senators lack.
- Monitor the DNC Primary Calendar: If the Democrats move a specific state to the front of the line, it’s a massive hint about which candidate they are trying to protect or promote.
- Follow the Money: Look at where the big Silicon Valley and Wall Street donors are putting their "early money." They usually pick the winner before the first primary vote is even cast.
- Check Local Midterm Results: See how Trump-endorsed candidates perform in November 2026. If they lose in suburban areas, the GOP might look for a "softer" version of Trump for 2028.
The race for the White House is a marathon, not a sprint. We’re only at mile two, but the leaders are already starting to pull away from the pack. Stay tuned.