John Kennedy Says He's Considering a Presidential Run

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., says he is considering a run for president but has not decided whether to enter the race, according to an interview broadcast on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Oct. 4, 2026.

What did Kennedy say about running for president?

Asked directly about his political future, Kennedy told moderator Kristen Welker, "Why not me on a rainy day?" The remark, posted by Meet the Press, framed a potential bid as a contingency rather than an announced plan. Kennedy stopped short of saying he would run, and the network's own description of the exchange notes he "hasn't made a decision yet."

Has Kennedy committed to a campaign?

No. The available record of the interview shows Kennedy weighing the option out loud rather than declaring a candidacy. There is no filing, committee, or formal announcement tied to the comment in the source material, and Kennedy's language — a conditional "why not" rather than a stated intention — leaves the question open rather than answered.

What else did Kennedy address in the same Meet the Press appearance?

The Louisiana senator used the same sit-down to criticize the political messaging around the economy. In a companion clip titled "John Kennedy says asking voters 'not to believe' their checkbooks isn't 'gonna work,'" he argued that telling voters to disregard their own financial experience is a losing argument, per the full interview posted by NBC. In a separate segment from the same broadcast, Kennedy was asked about President Trump publicly posting his cellphone number and said Trump "can go from zero to a-hole in about three seconds."

Why is Kennedy's name coming up now?

The comments aired during a Sunday show lineup focused on the run-up to the 2026 midterms. The same Oct. 4 broadcast carried an interview with former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who told Meet the Press that Democrats must "prove we can bring change" amid what he called a "brand problem" for the party. Kennedy's remarks arrived in that broader midterm-season context of Sunday-show appearances by potential 2028 contenders from both parties, rather than as part of a standalone campaign rollout.

What is Kennedy's current position?

Kennedy is a sitting Republican U.S. senator from Louisiana and was speaking in that capacity during the Meet the Press interview. Nothing in the available transcript or video description indicates he has taken steps — such as forming a campaign committee or hiring staff — beyond discussing the idea on air. For now, the only on-the-record statement is the one captured by NBC: a senator leaving the door open without walking through it.

Readers looking for the original exchange can view the unedited clip via NBC's Meet the Press video page, which is the sole on-the-record source for Kennedy's remarks as of publication.