Mark Cuban Warns Only a Trump Third-Term Attempt Would Prompt His Unexpected 2028 Presidential Run — A True National Threat
When asked about the possibility of launching a presidential campaign in 2028, billionaire and Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban has firmly ruled out entering the race under ordinary circumstances. But there is one scenario—he says—that would compel him to reconsider everything: if Donald Trump attempts an unprecedented third term as president.
Cuban delivered this sentiment during a recent appearance on the Semafor podcast, stating, “I’m not going to do it. I’ve said the only way I would do it is if Trump tried to run for a third term. Because then that’s just changing everything, right? And that’s a true threat.” In essence, Cuban frames such a move as a constitutional and democratic crisis—something so destabilizing that it would necessitate new leadership, even if that leadership came from outside the political establishment.
His hesitation is understandable. Cuban has repeatedly emphasized the personal toll of politics. He pointed to how disruptive campaigns can be, especially for families, reflecting on the “grief and abuse” that accompany high-profile runs. With three children aged between 15 and 21, the ramifications of a national campaign remain a significant deterrent. “When I’m 95 … I don’t want to say, ‘Well, gee, I ran for president,’” Cuban quipped, signifying how deeply he values avoiding such stress for himself and his loved ones.
Multiple media outlets echo this position. Fox News summarized his stance plainly: Cuban “rules out 2028 presidential run unless Trump … seeks third term.” Broadband political coverage from Benzinga reinforces the same narrative—that Cuban may feel driven to run only if Trump sidesteps established norms by seeking a third term.
Meanwhile, reports in Politico and Time show that Cuban’s priorities lie elsewhere. At the Principles First Convention in Washington, D.C., he explicitly confirmed he will not run in 2028, opting instead to focus on his healthcare venture, Cost Plus Drugs, through which he hopes to “f–k up health care.” Cuban also criticized the Democratic Party’s messaging and suggested they learn from Trump’s marketing prowess, even as he remains skeptical about their effectiveness.
Moreover, Business Insider reports that even if Cuban were to run for office someday, he’d likely do so as a Republican, describing it as the “path of least resistance.” Yet, he continues to express no genuine intention to enter politics.
In another interesting, if somewhat lighter, moment from December 2024, Cuban joked that he could win the presidency if he tapped NBA legend Charles Barkley as his running mate. He enthused, “We’d win running away. No question about it,” acknowledging Barkley’s unifying appeal. Still, family opposition and the toxicity of modern politics kept him from pursuing such ambitions.
Putting these perspectives together, the narrative is clear: Cuban’s only conceivable scenario for entering the 2028 race would be under truly extraordinary circumstances—specifically, a Trump attempt at a third term. That outcome, he intimates, would threaten the stability of American democracy enough to warrant intervention from major figures outside traditional political circles.
- Presidential norms still matter. Trump seeking a third term would shatter precedent and provoke institutional backlash. Cuban’s response underscores how seriously such a development would be taken.
- Cuban values nonpartisanship and civic contribution. He has long described himself as politically independent, socially centrist, and fiscally conservative. His activism—whether supporting Kamala Harris in 2024 or criticizing poor Democratic communication—reflects a focus on ideas over ideology.
- Family and personal boundaries remain paramount. Cuban repeatedly cites the cost of public office—something few high-profile individuals can truly prepare for.
- His healthcare efforts are his priority. By doubling down on Cost Plus Drugs, Cuban demonstrates a preference for effecting change from outside the political arena.
