Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) on Monday firmly dismissed any notion of a 2028 presidential campaign, telling MSNBC's Jen Psaki that he has “zero interest” in the race and even less patience for the speculative chatter that often dominates political circles.
“I have zero interest in running for president in 2028, and, frankly, zero interest in the 2028 fantasy football right now,” Ossoff said on “The Briefing,” reiterating comments he made earlier this year. The Georgia Democrat acknowledged the flattering attention but quickly pivoted to what he sees as a more pressing concern: the integrity of the 2026 midterm elections.
“I don’t know that we have a free and fair election in 2028 unless we restore checks and balances in these 2026 midterm elections,” Ossoff warned. “This needs to be all of our highest priority and our focus.” He urged voters to “get involved, pitch in money, sign up to knock doors, sign up to make phone calls,” adding, “If you’re feeling angst and outrage at what’s happening to our country, take action. Because here in Georgia, early voting opens in eight weeks.”
Ossoff’s comments come amid escalating tensions with the Trump administration. White House communications director Steven Cheung took to social platform X to call the senator “the biggest … loser in politics,” adding, “Instead of denigrating hard-working people serving their country, Jon should look deep into his soul and ask himself why he’s a miserable person who hates this country.” Cheung labeled him a “radical, extremist Dumocrat.” The White House's war of words with Ossoff has intensified in recent days, with multiple officials pushing back on his sharp criticism of President Trump.
At a campaign rally on Sunday, Ossoff targeted Trump’s handling of the economy and the Iran conflict, accusing the president of “lying” the country into a potential war. “Remember, last year, they claimed Iran’s nuclear program had been obliterated? Then, this year, they claimed it posed an imminent nuclear threat? Both times, lies,” he told the crowd.
Ossoff, a first-term senator running for reelection, has also drawn support from some prominent Republicans. Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake, a frequent Trump critic, has backed Ossoff in the Georgia race, a sign of the cross-partisan appeal he hopes to maintain. Meanwhile, political forecasters have taken note: Sabato's Crystal Ball recently upgraded the race to “Likely Democratic”, suggesting Ossoff holds a solid position heading into the midterms.
Despite the speculation about 2028, Ossoff remains focused on the immediate fight. “The future of our democracy depends on what happens this November,” he said. “If we don't defend the vote, nothing else matters.”
