Trump Hints at Possibility of a Third Term, Despite Constitutional Limits

U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited political debate by suggesting he may not rule out seeking a third term in office, despite the U.S. Constitution’s clear restriction on presidents serving more than two terms.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during his flight from Malaysia to Tokyo, Trump said he “would love to do it,” referring to the idea of running again, adding that he currently has his “best numbers ever.” When asked whether he was definitively ruling out a third term, he replied, “Am I not ruling it out? You’ll have to tell me.”

However, the President firmly dismissed the idea of running as vice president as a pathway to regain the presidency, describing such a move as “too cute” and saying that “the people wouldn’t like that” and “it wouldn’t be right.”

Constitutional Challenges

The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment states that no person can be elected to the presidency more than twice, which would make Trump ineligible to run again. Additionally, the 12th Amendment prevents anyone who is ineligible for the presidency from serving as vice president, effectively closing any legal loophole that could allow Trump to return to power through a vice-presidential route.

Political Reactions and Party Implications

Trump praised two senior Republicans—Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio—as “great people,” hinting that a ticket featuring the two could be “unstoppable.” His comments, however, have created ripples within the Republican Party, as potential 2028 contenders weigh their political futures while maintaining loyalty to Trump’s strong base of supporters.

Some of Trump’s allies, including former strategist Steve Bannon, have suggested that there could be ways to challenge or reinterpret the two-term restriction. Most constitutional experts, however, maintain that such a move would face insurmountable legal and political barriers.

Looking Ahead

Any effort to amend the U.S. Constitution to allow a third term would require overwhelming approval from both Congress and state legislatures—an outcome considered highly improbable. Still, Trump’s remarks have once again thrust the question of presidential term limits, executive power, and political influence into the spotlight as the 2028 election approaches.