On May 28, 2025, American Democratic Party veteran political activist Rahm Emanuel criticized the Democratic Party in an article published in The Wall Street Journal, calling the Democratic Party brand “toxic” and “weak and eager for ‘awakening’.” At the same time, speculation about Emanuel running for president in 2028 has been intensifying.
Emanuel, 65, described in his article, “I’m tired of sitting in the back seat and watching someone drive at 90 miles per hour towards a cliff… To get the ‘car keys’ of the nation, one must present an agenda to fight for America, not just to confront President Trump.”
Emanuel previously served as the finance director for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, joined the Clinton administration in 1993 as Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and Senior Adviser for Policy and Strategy, served as a U.S. Congressman (2003-2009, Illinois), White House Chief of Staff under Obama (2009-2010), Mayor of Chicago (2011-2019), and U.S. Ambassador to Japan (2022-2025). After resigning as Ambassador to Japan, Emanuel joined the New York-based investment bank Centerview Partners.
In recent weeks, he has been appearing frequently in the media expressing concerns about the Democratic Party’s direction following the November elections, sparking speculation about his political future in various sectors of society.
According to The Wall Street Journal, he has signed contracts with CNN and The Washington Post to write political commentaries, and held conversations with moderate Democrats during his retreat in Maryland in May, planning to host a fish fry in Iowa this fall.
Described as “coy” in his descriptions of the next political steps by The Wall Street Journal, Emanuel seems to be cautiously moving towards a presidential campaign.
Regarding the next presidential election, Emanuel told The Wall Street Journal, “Voters will be fortunate; they will witness a real debate – something we didn’t have in 2024.”
In the 2024 election, Democrats initially united in support of then-President Biden’s re-election campaign, following his withdrawal from the race in July, they put forward Vice President Harris to face off against Trump. In the end, Trump easily defeated Harris with 312 electoral votes to 226.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently told The Free Press that she believes Emanuel will vie for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
Other potential candidates include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, New York Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
In a recent interview, Emanuel emphasized that Democrats should focus on populist issues that better meet the needs of voters and move away from the culture wars that have divided the nation in recent years. He stated, “The American dream has become unaffordable and out of reach, but this is something we cannot accept. People’s choices are not wrong; they have seen the truth: the system has been manipulated and corrupted!”
Emanuel hails from a Jewish family, and the rabbi of his synagogue described his family as “a very actively engaged Jewish family.” He has also spoken about his Jewish faith, saying, “I am proud of my heritage and cherish the values it has taught me.”
(This article referenced reports from The Hill)