US President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of seeking a third term in the White House, saying he would “love to do it” despite constitutional barriers preventing such a run.
However, Trump rejected the possibility of running for vice-president in 2028, an idea floated by some supporters as a way for him to circumvent the US Constitution that bars presidents from serving more than two terms.
Speaking to reporters during his trip to Asia, Trump described the vice-presidential workaround as “too cute” and said it “wouldn’t be right”, though he left the door open to finding another method to seek a third term.
It is unclear what legal or constitutional mechanism he would use to run again, with the 22nd Amendment explicitly prohibiting presidents from seeking election more than twice.
Bannon Claims ‘Plan’ Exists
Last week, former Trump strategist Steve Bannon said that a “plan” was in place to secure the 79-year-old president another term, though he did not elaborate on what that plan entailed.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Japan from Malaysia, Trump acknowledged that whilst he would technically “be allowed” to run as vice-president under a literal reading of the 22nd Amendment, he had no plans to pursue such a strategy.
“I think people wouldn’t like that,” he said. “It’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right.”
The vice-presidential route would theoretically allow Trump to serve as VP before potentially becoming president again if the elected president resigned or was removed from office, though constitutional scholars debate whether this would violate the spirit of the 22nd Amendment.
‘Best Poll Numbers Ever’
Talking about the possibility of a third presidential term, Trump said: “I haven’t really thought about it. But I have the best poll numbers that I’ve ever had.”
The president’s comments suggest he is enjoying his current tenure and would relish the opportunity to extend his time in the White House beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit.
Additionally, Trump also suggested Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors, calling them “unstoppable” candidates who could continue his political movement.
“All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they don’t,” he added, referring to Democrats who are still working out their presidential field for 2028.
Constitutional Barriers
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution explicitly bars presidents from seeking a third term, stating that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice”.
Repealing the amendment would require approval from two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures, a process viewed as highly unlikely given current political dynamics.
Even with Republican control of both chambers of Congress, achieving the supermajorities necessary to amend the Constitution would be extraordinarily difficult, as it would require significant Democratic support.
The amendment was ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms as president, with lawmakers seeking to prevent future presidents from accumulating excessive power.
Bannon’s Cryptic Claims
Last week, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who remains a vocal supporter despite past falling-outs with the president, claimed there was a specific “plan” to secure a third term for Trump.
“Trump is going to be president in ’28, and people ought to just get accommodated with that,” Bannon told The Economist magazine in comments that raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.
“At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is,” Bannon added cryptically, without providing any details about how Trump would overcome the constitutional prohibition.
Bannon’s claims have been met with scepticism from constitutional experts who argue there is no legitimate pathway for Trump to serve a third term without amending the Constitution.
Mixed Signals From Trump
In March, Trump told CNBC he would “probably not” run again for president after completing his current term, suggesting he would be ready to step aside.
However, he later said he was “not joking” about the possibility of seeking another term, demonstrating the characteristic ambiguity Trump often employs when discussing his political future.
The president has a long history of making provocative statements about extending his time in office, previously “joking” about serving beyond two terms during his first presidency.
Critics accused him at the time of testing autocratic waters, whilst supporters insisted he was merely trolling his opponents and the media.
2028 Democratic Field
It is still unclear which Democrats intend to run for the White House in 2028, although several prominent figures have already expressed interest in seeking their party’s nomination.
On Sunday, California Governor Gavin Newsom told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that he would “be lying” if he said he was not giving serious thought to a presidential bid.
The California governor has emerged as one of the most prominent Trump critics in the Democratic Party and has positioned himself as a potential standard-bearer for liberals in 2028.
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris also told the BBC she may run again for president and that she could “possibly” occupy the White House in the future, despite her defeat in 2024.
Harris’s interest in another run suggests she believes her loss to Trump does not disqualify her from future consideration, though many Democrats are eager for fresh faces.
Political Implications
Trump’s refusal to definitively rule out a third term will likely fuel Democratic attacks that he has authoritarian tendencies and does not respect constitutional norms.
However, his acknowledgement that the vice-presidential workaround would be “too cute” and “wouldn’t be right” suggests some recognition of constitutional boundaries.
The uncertainty about Trump’s intentions for 2028 creates complications for potential Republican successors like Vance and Rubio, who may be reluctant to fully prepare presidential campaigns whilst Trump keeps the door open.
For now, Trump appears content to focus on his current term whilst enjoying the speculation and attention his comments about 2028 generate.
Whether his remarks represent genuine interest in circumventing constitutional term limits or simply his characteristic tendency to dominate news cycles remains an open question as America heads deeper into his second term.
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