Former U.S. President Donald Trump has openly suggested he is considering a third term, stating, “I’m not joking” about the possibility of continuing in office beyond 2029. In an interview with NBC News, Trump mentioned “methods” that could allow him to remain in power but added it was “far too early to think about it.”
Trump later expanded on his comments, claiming that many supporters have urged him to serve a third term, which he described as a “fourth” due to his unproven assertion that the 2020 election was “rigged.” However, he tempered his remarks, saying, “I don’t want to talk about a third term now because… we’ve got a long time to go.”
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly limits presidents to two elected terms. Legal experts, including constitutional law professor Jeremy Paul, assert that there are “no credible legal arguments” for Trump seeking a third term. Even a vice-presidential strategy, where JD Vance could hypothetically win the presidency and later step down, would likely be unconstitutional due to the 12th Amendment.
Despite legal and institutional barriers, Trump’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism. Democratic Rep. Daniel Goldman called it “yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government.” Meanwhile, supporters such as former strategist Steve Bannon have publicly pushed for Trump’s return in 2028.
Trump, who would be 82 at the end of a second term, suggested his popularity could override constitutional limits, though historical polling contradicts his claims of record-high approval ratings. Legal scholars and political analysts suggest his statements may be more about projecting political strength than an actual strategy to stay in power.
Source: Swifteradio.com
