In a surprising statement made on Sunday, President Donald Trump indicated that he might consider pursuing a third term in office, suggesting that he is exploring ways to navigate the constitutional limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment. In an exclusive telephone interview with NBC News, Trump emphasized, “I’m not joking” about his interest in extending his presidency beyond the legally permitted two terms, which culminate in early 2029.
The 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1951, was established after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times. The amendment states, “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,” effectively limiting any individual’s time in office. Trump’s remarks raise questions about the potential methods he believes could be employed to circumvent this constitutional barrier.
As speculation mounts regarding Trump’s intentions, his office did not immediately respond to requests for comments from The Associated Press regarding this controversial discussion. At 82 years old by the end of a potential third term, Trump was asked whether he would still want to hold “the toughest job in the country.” He confidently replied, “Well, I like working,” suggesting that he believes his popularity would support a bid for a third term.
Despite his assertions of having “the highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years,” data from Gallup paints a different picture. Historically, President George W. Bush achieved a remarkable 90% approval rating following the September 11 attacks, while his father, President George H.W. Bush, reached 89% after the Gulf War in 1991. In contrast, Trump has recorded a maximum approval rating of only 47% during his second term, despite claiming to be “in the high 70s in many polls, in the real polls.”
This is not the first time Trump has joked about serving longer than two terms. Earlier this year, during a House Republican retreat, he playfully asked, “Am I allowed to run again?” as he mused about his political future. This latest interview, however, marks one of the clearest indications yet that Trump is seriously contemplating his options regarding a possible third term.
As political analysts and the public weigh Trump's remarks, the implications of such statements could have significant repercussions for the future of the Republican Party and the 2024 presidential race. The conversation around Trump's potential third term continues to ignite discussions about the boundaries of presidential power and the electoral process in the United States.
