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5 min readFantasy draft: 2028 presidential race
The 2028 presidential race will be the first open contest for both parties since 2016, and the field of potential candidates is already unusually wide and messy. To make sense of it, journalist Kara Swisher and political commentator Don Lemon joined host Siedwood Love for a "fantasy draft" exercise: each picked four candidates per party, trying to assemble the team most likely to produce the actual nominee or someone on the ticket. The exercise revealed not just who the plausible contenders are, but what each party's internal fault lines look like after Trump.
The Republican field: Trump's shadow and the Vance question
On the Republican side, the central question is whether Donald Trump runs again. Love picked Trump himself as his second selection, arguing the chance of a third run is "non-zero" — and that the party's willingness to bend democratic norms means Trump could simply blow up the usual succession. Swisher disagreed sharply, saying "biology is undefeated" and Trump won't be well enough to run. Lemon went further: "I don't think he's going to be living."
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **2028: The First Open Contest Since 2016** - Host Sean Rameswaram sets up the premise: an open presidential race for both parties, with a messy field of rumored candidates from Kamala Harris to George Clooney.
- 2 (02:56) **Fantasy Draft Rules and First Republican Pick** - The game is explained: each drafter picks four candidates; the goal is to assemble the team most likely to produce a presidential nominee or a ticket member.
- 3 (06:18) **Don Lemon's First Pick: Tucker Carlson** - Lemon selects Tucker Carlson, arguing his massive platform, social media savvy, and chameleon-like ability to appeal to both MAGA and moderates make him a strong contender.
- 4 (08:08) **Sean's First Pick: JD Vance** - Sean picks JD Vance, betting on his inside track with Trump and the MAGA base, despite acknowledging his lack of charisma.
- 5 (09:41) **Kara's Second Pick: RFK Jr.** - Kara selects RFK Jr., citing his Kennedy name, charisma, and "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) credibility as a legitimate political force, even if he has receded from the spotlight.
- 6 (10:57) **Don Lemon's Second Pick: Thomas Massie** - Lemon picks Thomas Massie, arguing his credibility from the Fauci files and his ability to "evolve" on issues like same-sex marriage make him a potential crossover candidate.
- 7 (12:08) **Sean's Second Pick: Donald Trump** - Sean picks Donald Trump himself, arguing the chance of a third run is non-zero and that the GOP's willingness to break democratic norms makes it a plausible bet.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Journalists Astead Herndon, Don Lemon, and Kara Swisher hold a fantasy draft to find out who has the best shot at becoming president in 2028.
This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.
Flags are displayed on the lawn of the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background. Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images.
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