Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has left the door open for a potential bid in the 2028 elections, claiming that "a lot of people" have expressed their desire for him to remain in the nation's leadership role. In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump, who returned to the White House just over two months ago, was asked about the possibility of another campaign. He didn't rule out the idea, stating that he has received significant support from his followers encouraging him to stay in politics.
"A lot of people want me to do it," Trump remarked during a Sunday morning phone call with NBC News, referencing his supporters. "But, well, basically I tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it's very early in the administration," he added.
The Republican leader emphasized that he is "focused on the present" and clarified that he wasn't joking when discussing the possibility of a third term, which is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution under the 22nd Amendment. "There are ways to do it," he noted, adding an intriguing layer to his comments.
One potential scenario was brought up by NBC News, which questioned whether Vice President J.D. Vance could run and later hand over the position to Trump. The current president responded, saying, "That's one way," and mentioned, "there are others too." However, when asked to elaborate on alternative methods, Trump simply replied, "no."
These remarks have sparked a broad discussion. Amending the Constitution to remove the two-term limit would be extremely challenging, requiring the approval of two-thirds of Congress or for two-thirds of the states to agree to call a constitutional convention.
American journalist Walter Curt commented on the platform X regarding the matter: "President Trump is trolling the media again when asked if he'd seek a third term... Just start telling everyone we'll install Trump as emperor in 2028."
Meanwhile, Steve Bannon, a Trump ally, mentioned in an interview on News Nation that he believes Trump "will run and win again in 2028." Bannon further stated in the same interview that he thinks there will be "a couple of alternatives" for Trump to pursue a third term, despite the constitutional restriction.
This is not the first time Trump has hinted at the possibility of continuing his presidency. However, in 2024, while still a candidate for the White House, he assured that he would not run again if he lost the election to Kamala Harris, the Democratic representative.
Potential Third Term and Constitutional Challenges
Can Donald Trump run for a third term?
Under the current U.S. Constitution, a president cannot serve more than two terms, as stipulated by the 22nd Amendment. However, Trump has hinted at possible methods to circumvent this limitation.
What would it take to amend the Constitution for a third term?
Amending the Constitution would require a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. This process is notoriously difficult to achieve.
What are the implications of Trump's remarks about a 2028 run?
Trump's comments have ignited discussions and debates about the feasibility and legality of a third term, challenging the established norms and prompting both criticism and support from various political circles.