It sounds like something out of political fan fiction — Barack Obama facing off against Donald Trump in a future presidential race. Two of the most dominant and polarizing figures in modern American history, standing across from each other on a debate stage.
Impossible? Technically, yes. But a new poll decided to imagine what would happen if the Constitution didn’t stand in the way — and the results say a lot about where Americans’ loyalties still lie.
The matchup that can’t happen — but everyone wants to talk about
Under the 22nd Amendment, no U.S. president can serve more than two terms. That rule disqualifies both Trump and Obama from ever running again. Obama left office in 2017 after eight years. Trump, after his turbulent exit in 2021, returned to power in 2024 following one of the most divisive elections in modern history.
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