Sanders Rules Out 2028 Presidential Run, Pushes Progressive Future [WATCH]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) signaled over the weekend that he has no plans to run for president in 2028, citing his age as the deciding factor, as reported by The New York Post.

During an interview on CNN’s State of the Union that aired Sunday, Sanders dismissed the idea of a third presidential campaign.

“Oh, God. Let’s not worry about that. I am going to be 84 years of age next month, as a matter of fact. So I think that speaks for itself,” he told host Dana Bash.

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Sanders, who ran for the Democratic nomination in both 2016 and 2020, lost to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively. If he were to run again and win in 2028, he would take office at age 87, making him the oldest president in U.S. history.

When asked who he would like to see as the Democratic nominee in 2028, Sanders said, “I want to see, obviously, the most progressive candidate that we can have … rally the grassroots of America.”

He added, “Will they stand up and fight for economic and social and racial justice? Absolutely. There are some great young people,” but declined to name specific individuals.

Bernie Sanders on another presidential run: “I’m going to be 84 next month. I think that speaks for itself.” pic.twitter.com/4MgZFBhxNN

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 10, 2025

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Sanders, who was re-elected to the Senate last year, has also expressed doubt about seeking a fifth term in 2030 due to his age.

In recent months, Sanders has been traveling the country with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) as part of their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, with stops in states including West Virginia and North Carolina.

“People are hurting,” Sanders told Bash, “and they want candidates to come before them to stand up for the working class and take on the oligarchs, who have so much economic and political power.”

Ocasio-Cortez has drawn speculation about a possible presidential run in 2028 or a primary challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). In March, Sanders walked out of an ABC News interview when asked if he would support Ocasio-Cortez for the Senate.

Sanders was also asked during the CNN interview about President Donald Trump’s recent comment that Vice President J.D. Vance would “probably be favored” to win the Republican nomination.

Sanders responded, “I think he has nothing really — neither Trump nor he, nor the Republicans of today have anything of significance to say to working-class people.

What they’re trying to do is to divide us up. ‘Oh, you’re a Muslim. You’re undocumented. You’re black. You’re gay. Let’s divide everybody up so that rich can become richer.’ Our job is to bring people together. Doesn’t matter to me who heads the Republican Party.”

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