Fox News host Jesse Watters is already looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election, speculating on possible candidates from both parties. During Wednesday’s episode of The Five, Watters and co-host Jeanine Pirro discussed what they perceive as a leadership vacuum within the Democratic Party before shifting their focus to potential Republican contenders.
Fox News host Jesse Watters looked ahead to the 2028 presidential election on Wednesday’s episode of The Five
Watters put forth a surprising name for the GOP’s future: former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly. “I think Megyn Kelly could be president,” Watters stated. “She’s smart, a great debater, has a strong family, she’s telegenic, and she’s a woman.” He then posed the rhetorical question, “Why not now? Why not have the first female president be a Republican?”
Kelly, 54, has had a storied career in conservative media, beginning as a host on Fox News’ America Live and The Kelly File before transitioning into independent broadcasting with her own successful podcast. Despite past tensions with Donald Trump during his initial presidential run, she ultimately endorsed him in the 2024 election. Speaking at a Pittsburgh event, she criticized progressive gender policies and the left’s evolving definition of masculinity, reinforcing her conservative credentials.
Watters also noted that the Democratic field for 2028 is wide open following former Vice President Kamala Harris’ stunning defeat
Kelly famously endorsed President Donald Trump in the 2024 election
While Kelly was Watters’ top pick for a potential female GOP candidate, she wasn’t the only name he mentioned. He also suggested Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, another Fox News alum, as a potential 2028 contender. “If he does a solid job at the Pentagon over the next four years, Hegseth could make a run,” Watters said. “I think he’d be an excellent commander-in-chief.”
However, Watters acknowledged that Vice President JD Vance currently holds the upper hand within the Republican Party. He pointed to Vance’s strong showing at the Munich Security Conference, where the vice president made a compelling argument about the erosion of free speech and democratic institutions. “He’s probably got the advantage,” Watters admitted.
Turning to the Democratic Party, Watters and Pirro criticized what they called a lack of leadership. Pirro dismissed newly appointed DNC Chair Ken Martin, claiming, “Gone are the days of Barack Obama, and the best they can come up with is a boring white guy named Ken.” Watters added that the absence of a dominant Democratic figure leaves the race wide open. “If you’re a Democrat, now is the time to run,” he remarked. “It’s an open primary, and you don’t have to run against Trump anymore. Kamala Harris is the front-runner—see what I mean?”
Watters also speculated that California Governor Gavin Newsom remains the leading Democratic contender but predicted he would ultimately lose in the general election. Additionally, he floated the idea that figures outside traditional politics, such as wealthy individuals or celebrities, could enter the race, specifically mentioning former Tennessee Representative Harold Ford Jr., who has gained prominence as a political commentator.
With the 2028 election still years away, speculation is bound to continue. However, Watters’ predictions suggest that Republicans could break historical barriers with a female nominee—one who, in his view, could be Megyn Kelly. Whether Kelly or any of Watters’ picks will actually make a bid remains to be seen, but his analysis highlights the evolving political landscape as both parties begin preparing for the post-Trump era.
