It may sound like political fiction — Donald Trump and Barack Obama facing off in a presidential election — but a new poll shows Americans already have opinions about such a matchup.
Under the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, presidents can only serve two terms, making this scenario impossible. Still, speculation thrives, especially with Trump occasionally hinting at a third term and Obama staying silent.
When asked in April how he’d feel about running against Obama in 2028, Trump responded enthusiastically: “I’d love that. That would be a good one.” He added, “No people are asking me to run… They do say there’s a way you can do it, but I don’t know about that.”
It wasn’t the first time Trump teased testing presidential limits. Earlier this year, he told NBC News that “a lot of people” wanted him to do it but said it was too early to think about. With a grin, he hinted there might be “methods” to make it possible.
To explore the fantasy matchup, Daily Mail and J.L. Partners surveyed 1,013 registered voters. The results: 52% said they would vote for Obama, while 41% would back Trump. Among Hispanic voters, 73% chose Obama, and 68% of Black voters did too.
Interestingly, Obama was the only Democrat to beat Trump in hypothetical matchups—others like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris trailed behind. The data shows Obama’s enduring appeal even years after leaving office.
Both men have defined 21st-century American politics. Obama’s victories in 2008 and 2012 reshaped the Democratic Party, while Trump’s wins and comeback in 2024 redefined the GOP. Though their paths often crossed, they never directly competed—until now, at least in imagination.
Realistically, a Trump–Obama race would require a constitutional overhaul—two-thirds of Congress and 38 state legislatures—a nearly impossible feat. But in modern politics, even far-fetched ideas can spark real debate.