A hypothetical presidential matchup between Donald Trump and Barack Obama in 2028 has captured public attention, despite being constitutionally impossible. The 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms, disqualifying both men from appearing on any future ballot. Yet Trump has repeatedly hinted at testing these limits, while Obama remains silent on the matter.

When asked in April about running against his predecessor, Trump responded with enthusiasm, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he would “love that” and called it “a good one.” He later suggested to NBC News that “a lot of people want me to do it” and hinted there are “methods” to pursue a third term, though he acknowledged it remains early in his current administration.

A new poll from Daily Mail and J.L. Partners surveyed 1,013 registered voters on this hypothetical matchup. Results showed 52% would choose Obama while 41% would back Trump. Obama drew strong support from Hispanic voters at 73% and Black voters at 68%, emerging as the only recent Democratic figure to beat Trump in such polling.

The two figures have dominated American politics for nearly two decades. Obama first won the White House in 2008 and secured reelection in 2012. Trump followed with his surprise 2016 victory, lost in 2020, and returned to power in 2024. Despite their intertwined legacies, they have never directly faced voters as opponents.

While the matchup exists only in “what if” polling, Trump’s repeated comments keep the conversation alive. He has stated plainly, “I’m not joking… there are methods” when discussing potential paths to a third term.

Changing the Constitution to allow this would require approval from two-thirds of both House and Senate, plus ratification from at least 38 state legislatures—an extraordinarily high bar.

Unlikely as it seems, American politics has proven unpredictable. Observers hesitate to rule anything out completely, even as the legal obstacles remain formidable.