Fact Check: Do polls show Kamala Harris leading JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election?

WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that a recent poll shows former Vice President Kamala Harris would lead Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if both participated, sparking debates and speculation.

Let us analyze the claim and fact-check the authenticity of the poll.

Claim: Kamala Harris leads JD Vance in a 2028 presidential poll

According to widely circulating social media posts, Kamala Harris leads JD Vance in a new 2028 presidential poll.

The claim has triggered mixed reactions among online users, with many praising Harris and criticizing Vance, while others remain skeptical and call the poll fake and inauthentic.

The claim has spread across various social media platforms such as X, Facebook, Threads, and Reddit, garnering millions of views.

Fact Check: Polls should not be treated as an objective indicator of the 2028 election

The polls conducted by The Public Sentiment Institute (TPSI) do show Harris ahead of Vance by more than 8 points. The poll, conducted on May 21 among 893 likely voters, shows Harris leading Vance 47% to 38.9%.

The poll, which carries a margin of error of 3.8%, also shows that the former vice president leads Secretary of State Marco Rubio 46.9% to 38.9%, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis 47.2% to 38.8%, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz 46.1% to 38.5%.

The findings add to early polling that suggests a competitive race with a slight Democratic advantage, even though no candidate has officially entered the contest yet.

However, the polls reflect the opinions of a specific group of respondents at a particular moment. Since the election is still years away, voters' preferences could change significantly.

Hence, the poll should not be treated as an objective indicator of the 2028 election outcome.  

Democrats question Kamala Harris’ 2028 chances

Following the DNC autopsy, which revealed that Joe Biden’s allies did not properly support Harris ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Democrats reportedly think it would be a ‘bad idea’ to nominate Harris for the 2028 race.

According to a report by Vanity Fair, many people close to Kamala Harris are doubtful about a potential 2028 White House run.

“Aside from her own close advisers, none spoke enthusiastically about a Harris 2028 campaign. Many with careers in Democratic politics asked to remain anonymous.

Some, after praising Harris on the record, asked to speak on background to give more candid opinions about her political future,” Aidan McLaughlin, the Washington correspondent for Vanity Fair, said.