Trump Acknowledges Limits on Third Presidential Term Bid
Former President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that he recognizes he cannot pursue a third term in the White House, following months of speculation regarding his potential candidacy for the 2028 elections. While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, Trump reflected on his standing, stating, “It’s a very interesting thing. I have the best numbers for any president in many years.” He went on to clarify, “If you read it, it’s pretty clear I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.”
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1951, explicitly prohibits anyone from being elected to the presidency for more than two terms. Despite this, Trump has teased the notion of a 2028 campaign on various occasions. He has humorously offered “Trump 2028” hats to supporters and critics alike, yet he has also suggested in interviews that he is “not joking” about the possibility of running again. Earlier this year, Trump asserted to NBC News that he believes “there are methods” that could allow him to seek another term.
In a recent interview, Trump ally Steve Bannon claimed that there is “a plan” for Trump to secure a third term. When asked about Bannon’s remarks, Trump acknowledged he had not given the matter much consideration, but stopped short of definitively ruling out the idea of another presidential run.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, another close associate of Trump, expressed skepticism regarding any potential changes to the Constitution that would allow for a third term. Johnson stated, “He and I have talked about the constrictions of the Constitution. I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution because it takes about 10 years to do that.”
Some analysts have proposed a scenario where Trump could theoretically reclaim the presidency by running for vice president and subsequently ascending to the role if the sitting president were to resign. This constitutional interpretation remains untested, and experts are divided on its validity. Trump himself seemed to dismiss this notion on Monday, describing it as “too cute” and suggesting it would not be well received by the public.
As discussions surrounding Trump’s potential political future continue, he remains a prominent figure in American politics, with many awaiting his next move in the evolving landscape leading up to the 2024 elections and beyond.
