On Monday, former President Donald Trump stirred political discussions by declining to definitively rule out a third term. Instead, he expressed enthusiasm, stating, "I would love to do it." During his remarks, Trump also suggested a possible ticket featuring Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while falsely claiming that his poll numbers are so high that another run could be viable. The White House has refrained from commenting on this developing story.
To clarify, presidential term limits are explicitly defined in the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which restricts any individual from being elected to the office of the President more than twice. Despite this legal framework, a pro-Trump group named the Third Term Project has been laying the groundwork for what some consider an unfeasible path toward another Trump presidency. They propose that a coalition of states could convene a Constitutional convention to amend or eliminate the 22nd Amendment. However, this scenario is unlikely, as it would require the agreement of 34 states.
Alternatively, the group suggests that Congress could intervene to amend the Constitution, although there appears to be little support for this route on Capitol Hill. This is highlighted by the stalled resolution from Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) to pursue such an amendment. Additionally, the Third Term Project has promoted the idea that if Vance were to run for president with Trump as his vice president, Vance could resign on his first day, allowing Trump to assume the presidency. Trump himself dismissed this suggestion as "too cute" during a press conference on Monday.
Adding to the intrigue, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon recently made headlines by claiming that there is a plan to keep Trump in the Oval Office for a third term. While the White House has downplayed the significance of these remarks, describing them as harmless trolling aimed at the left, Trump's official merchandise site is actively promoting Trump 2028 hats, T-shirts, and can coolers.
Trump has a history of making comments about a potential third term. Here’s a timeline of significant remarks:
March 2018: Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for being a "president for life," jokingly suggesting, "Maybe we'll give that a shot someday," during a private speech to Republican donors.December 2019: At a summit with Turning Point USA, Trump encouraged students to think beyond two terms, playfully suggesting they say "16 more years" to drive the left "crazy."August 2020: During a rally, he claimed he deserved a "redo" of his presidency due to alleged election interference, stating, "We should get a redo of four years."April 2025: In an NBC interview, he mentioned that there were "methods" being considered to allow him to serve again, though he did not elaborate.May 2025: Trump seemed to backtrack on the idea, saying, "This is not something I'm looking to do," and expressed a desire for a successful four years for a successor.August 2025: He showcased a "four more years" hat to international leaders, indicating ongoing interest in the concept.October 2025: When asked about a third term, Trump replied, "You'll have to tell me," suggesting he was not dismissing the idea entirely.As the political landscape evolves, the White House's stance on Trump's potential for another term remains ambiguous. Nevertheless, the former president continues to market Trump 2028 merchandise, indicating that he is not entirely closed off to the idea. As speculation mounts, the conversation surrounding Trump's political ambitions is likely to remain a focal point in American politics.
For more insights into the complex dynamics of Trump's presidency and his ongoing influence, explore our in-depth analyses and related articles.
