Sanders is pushing 85 years of age. But he’s still heavily involved in politics as a U.S. senator.
And Bernie Sanders just made a 2028 presidential announcement that’s left jaws on the floor.
After nearly a decade of national influence as a two-time presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders made it clear over the weekend that a third White House run in 2028 is all but off the table.
“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,” Sanders said during an interview with CNN’s State of the Union, which aired on Sunday.
Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, rose to national prominence during his campaigns in 2016 and 2020, in which he challenged Hillary Clinton and later Joe Biden.
Now, as the political world looks ahead to 2028, Sanders is signaling that it’s time for someone else to take up the mantle.
Asked who he believes should lead Democrats into the next election cycle, he replied, “I want to see, obviously, the most progressive candidate that we can have … rally the grassroots of America.”
He continued: “Will they stand up and fight for economic and social and racial justice? Absolutely. There are some great young people.” Notably, Sanders declined to name any potential successors.
If Sanders were to reverse course and run — and win — in 2028, he would take office at the age of 87, setting a new record as the oldest president in U.S. history.
But that scenario appears increasingly unlikely. Sanders, who won re-election to the Senate in 2024, has also cast doubt on seeking a fifth term in 2030 because of how old he is.
Still, the senator remains an active presence in Leftist politics. Alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Sanders has been touring the country on their “Fighting Oligarchy” roadshow, making recent stops in states like West Virginia and North Carolina.
“People are hurting,” Sanders said during the CNN interview. “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.”
Tensions between Sanders and the press surfaced in March, when he abruptly walked out of an ABC News interview after being asked about a possible Senate run by Ocasio-Cortez. The New York congresswoman has had rumors swirl about her regarding a potential primary challenge to Sen. Chuck Schumer or even a presidential bid of her own.
Sanders was also asked to respond to President Donald Trump’s comment that Vice President JD Vance would “probably be favored” as the 2028 GOP nominee.
“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,” Sanders said.
“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.”
Why Sanders Has No Business Running in 2028
The idea of a Democratic socialist like Bernie Sanders launching another presidential campaign in 2028 simply doesn’t add up — for his sake or the country’s. Age alone should be disqualifying. Sanders will be 87 if he were to take office in 2029. That’s not just an arbitrary number; it’s a legitimate concern for a job that demands physical stamina, sharp mental acuity, and an ability to adapt quickly to fast-moving domestic and international crises.
Moreover, after spending decades in the halls of Congress, Sanders has become part of the same establishment he once railed against. While he continues to champion populist causes, his position as a long-serving senator complicates the anti-system persona that defined his earlier campaigns. It’s difficult to portray yourself as a revolutionary when you’ve been a fixture of the system for over 40 years.
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