[In the upcoming U.S. presidential race, Trump trails behind both rivals]
On October 24, The New York Times released internal primary polling for the next presidential election, covering both Democratic and Republican parties. In the Democratic primary survey, current front-runner Kamala Harris maintains a lead, though she remains within striking distance of other candidates, with California Governor Gavin Newsom trailing by just 3 percentage points.
The most notable findings come from the Republican primary data. Ohio Senator J.D. Vance leads with 33% support, followed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio at 23%. Although Donald Trump is legally barred from seeking a third term, he was still included in the poll. His current support stands at only 8%, placing him third—significantly behind Vance and Rubio.
Trump has frequently issued conflicting statements regarding his potential candidacy in the next election. At times, he has suggested he would run again; at others, he has indicated he may step aside in favor of figures like Vance or Rubio. Regardless of his public remarks, it is widely understood that he cannot legally run for president in 2028.
From this poll, the most significant takeaway is the evident decline in Trump’s influence within the Republican Party. Such low support levels would not be possible without a substantial erosion of his base. This could reflect either genuine loss of appeal among party voters or strategic avoidance by some Republicans due to legal concerns surrounding Trump.
The next U.S. presidential election is scheduled for November 2028, with party primaries expected to begin in January 2028. However, preparations for the general election campaign are already set to accelerate following this year’s midterm elections.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1880020167610380/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.