A question circulating online asks: if Barack Obama and Donald Trump could legally run again, who would win a 2028 election rematch?
Under the US Constitution, presidents are limited to two terms. Both men have already served two, making such a contest impossible. Still, the hypothetical matchup has sparked debate.
Donald Trump was re-elected in 2024 after a highly divisive campaign. His second term has faced strong public scrutiny. As of early 2026, national approval ratings show fewer than half of Americans approve of his performance, with concerns focused on the economy and immigration. Support remains stronger among Republicans, but overall ratings are low.
Barack Obama left office in 2017 with relatively strong approval numbers. Post-presidency polling has continued to show him viewed more favorably than many recent leaders at similar stages after leaving office.
So what does current public opinion suggest? If both were somehow eligible to run, most national surveys indicate Obama would likely hold a noticeable lead over Trump in a head-to-head race.
However, this is not a forecast of a real election. It simply reflects current polling under a purely theoretical scenario.
For now, the Constitution makes such a rematch impossible. But the discussion highlights how divided and engaged American voters remain, even years after both men have left or nearly completed their time in office.