Sen. Rand Paul said there is a “50-50” chance he runs for president in 2028, but that he will not make a decision until after November’s midterm elections.
The Kentucky Republican made the remarks in an interview with CBS News set to air on Sunday. The outlet released a clip teasing the senator’s potential presidential ambitions.
“We’re thinking about it, and I would say 50-50,” Mr. Paul said.
Mr. Paul, 63, said his libertarian views may not get much traction in the Senate, but he believes there is a GOP coalition that could band together against the current populist movement on the right led by President Trump.
“There used to really be a free-market/libertarian wing of the party, and now there is not much left. In fact, on many days, it’s me in the Senate, the only one left for free trade,” he said. “But I think there still is a desire among business for it.”
Mr. Paul said the libertarian vote “might not be big enough to ever win anything” but it could be powerful if combined with backing of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-wing of the party that once dominated GOP politics — “the traditional business community that doesn’t like protectionism.”
“There may be a force out there for a different direction from the party, other than being continued to be led by populism,” he said.
Mr. Paul’s courting of the business community may be difficult because he voted against the sweeping tax-cut package Republicans passed last summer that permanently extended popular business tax breaks.
He supports the tax cuts but voted against the bill because of other spending in the bill that wasn’t offset with cuts, and the cumulative deficit impact. His vote led to one of Mr. Trump’s signature social media attacks.
“Rand votes NO on everything but never has any practical or constructive ideas,” Mr. Trump said. “His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can’t stand him. This is a big growth bill.”
