Republican candidate Donald Trump said he would not seek re-election as US president for a fourth consecutive term if he loses this year’s race, saying it was “no longer necessary”.
In an interview published on September 22, when asked if he would run again if he is unsuccessful in the November 5 election, the 78-year-old former president told Sharyl Attkisson’s “Full Measure” program: “No. I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. I have no intention of doing that. Hopefully we will be successful.” [lần này].”
Mr Trump is facing a tight race with Democratic US Vice President Kamala Harris. Polls show the two candidates are neck and neck in key battleground states that could decide the winner, even as Ms Harris has begun to inch up in national polls.
Mr. Trump launched his first re-election campaign for the 2020 election on the same day he took office in 2017 and announced his most recent White House bid two years ago, in November 2022.
Mr. Trump continues to falsely blame his 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden on widespread voter fraud, and he faces federal and state criminal charges for his efforts to overturn the election results. He denies any wrongdoing and has described the indictments as a political attack.
Harris, 59, sees the race as a pivotal moment for American democracy even as she seeks to focus on everyday issues like the cost of families and housing.
Asked whether the four-year break would help him regroup and figure out who his allies could trust, Mr Trump replied: “It would be easier if I did it … back to back.”
Mr Trump, who spoke to Ms Attkisson at his Florida resort, also said it was “too early” to make deals with people about any positions in his White House cabinet if he wins in November.
(According to VOA)