Trump declines to answer if his sons’ names could ever be on the ballot
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Sunday, September 13, left open the possibility of another member of his family one day potentially appearing on the ballot, declining to rule it out when asked about his sons’ political futures.
The 80-year-old said “I don't know,” when asked if there could still be a Trump name on the ballot before praising them as “good” and hardworking people. The interview did not identify a specific son or race, but his remarks came as he has increasingly placed himself at the center of the Republican Party’s campaign strategy for the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump declines to answer when asked about another family campaign
Reporter: “Your two sons over there, Mr. President. There could still be a Trump name on the ballot. Would it ever happen? Maybe they could win.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) September 13, 2026
President Trump: “I don't know. I better not get into that. But they're good. You know what? They work hard and they're very good… pic.twitter.com/I2NlMTKwZU
While boarding Air Force One to return to the United States following his two-day visit to Ireland, the POTUS was asked whether another member of the Trump family could eventually appear on a ballot, with the reporter suggesting that “maybe they could win.” Trump did not directly rule out the possibility, instead responding, “I don't know. I better not get into that.”
He then praised his sons without identifying any specific political plans for them. “But they're good. You know what? They work hard, and they're very good people,” Trump said. “I call them kids. They're not kids, but I call them. They're still my kids. And they're great kids.”
Trump's remarks did not amount to an endorsement of a particular family member running for office, nor did he identify a specific race or election in which another Trump could appear on the ballot. Instead, he left the question open while emphasizing his sons' work ethic and character.
Trump tells Republican voters to ‘pretend that I’m on the ballot’
Trump has also repeatedly urged Republican voters to treat this year’s midterm elections as though he were personally running. During the opening night of the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas on September 9, Trump made a direct appeal to supporters.
“And pretend that I'm on the ballot," Trump told the crowd. "I'm on the ballot. I'm on. Just one more time." Trump argued that Republican control of Congress was necessary to preserve his administration’s agenda, warning supporters about what could happen if Democrats regained power.
“Because if we lose, you're going to lose your border. You're going to lose your tax cuts. You're going to lose your safety and security. You're going to lose your wealth," Trump said. "We're running together," Trump added. "This is the most important election of your lives."
Trump has repeated the message at other campaign events. During a rally in South Carolina in August, where he campaigned for Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham ahead of an upcoming runoff, he again asked voters to view the race as if he were personally on the ballot.
🚨 PRESIDENT TRUMP on Darline Graham:
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 21, 2026
"I think Lindsey respected Darline more than any other person he knows, INCLUDING ME. That does NOT make me happy.. I'm not happy about that." pic.twitter.com/w7yV5dQe4j
“What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Just come and vote. It's so important,” Trump said. “Just say that I'm on the ballot one more time.”