WASHINGTON – Former Presidentโ Donald Trump responded to a report detailing Senator Ted Cruz’s efforts to position himselfโฃ for a potential 2028 presidential run, dismissing the Texan’s ambitions as premature and downplaying any threat to aโฃ possible future Trump campaign. The exchange underscoresโฃ the ongoing power dynamics โwithin the Republican party as it eyes the post-Trump era, even โas some allies continue to suggest a third Trump term is inevitable.
The report, published November 17,โฃ 2025, highlighted โCruz’s emphasisโ on legislative winsโ – specifically his role in shaping Trump’s July tax andโ spending โbill – as evidenceโฃ ofโข his value to the conservative movement. Trump, โคwhen asked about Cruz’s maneuvering, โขstated, “Ted is a good man, a very smart guy, but 2028 isโ a long way off. A lot can happen. โright now, people are still โคfocused on the unbelievable progress we made, and frankly, โขthe progress we will make.” This response signals Trump’s continued dominance โwithin โฃthe party and a reluctance toโ cede any ground to potential rivals.
Cruz, speaking prior โคto Trump’s comments, acknowledged the media’s focus on generating attention but reiterated his โขcommitment to representing the people of Texas. “Reporters are going to โฃwrite headlines that get clicks and get eyeballs.โ I got a job -โข it’s representing 31 million Texans. And I’ll tell you rightโ now, โthe wins we are getting are historic,” Cruz said, without directly โคaddressingโ the report’s claims. โHe further emphasized his contribution to the “one big, gorgeous โbill” passed in july, stating he was “blessed to writeโ major portions of that bill.”
Despite legal limitations preventing Trumpโ from seeking a third term,some of his supporters are actively promoting โฃthe idea of a 2028 run. Steveโค Bannon,Trump’sโข former White House chief strategist,recently told the Economist on October 23,2025,that “Trump is going to be president in ’28,and people just ought to get accommodated with that.”
The situation highlights a complex interplay of ambition, loyalty, and strategic positioning within the Republican party, as figures like Cruz attempt to establish themselves as potential leaders while navigating the enduring influence โคof Donald trump.
