Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump on Sunday refused to rule out pursuing a third term in the White House, asserting that “there are methods” to circumvent the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two elected terms. In a phone interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker, Trump insisted he was “not joking” about the idea, though he emphasized his current focus remains on his second term.
“A lot of people want me to do it. But … my thinking is, we have a long way to go. I’m focused on the current,” Trump told Welker. When pressed on potential strategies, he hinted at possibilities—including one scenario where Vice President JD Vance could run in 2028 and “pass the baton” back to him—before adding, “There are others too,” without elaborating.
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The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Despite this, Trump has repeatedly teased the idea of extending his presidency. At a January rally in Nevada, he quipped about serving “twice or three times or four times,” later clarifying it as a two-term commitment. During a Black History Month event at the White House, he asked supporters if he should run again, sparking chants of “Four more years!” On Sunday, however, he doubled down: “I’m not joking. It is far too early to think about it.”
The notion has gained traction among some of Trump’s allies. Steve Bannon, a prominent outside adviser, has argued that the amendment’s lack of a “consecutive” term specification leaves room for interpretation. Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has introduced a bill in the House to amend the 22nd Amendment, proposing that presidents who serve nonconsecutive terms could seek a third four-year stint. The legislation, which would exclude two-term former presidents like Barack Obama, faces a steep uphill battle: amending the Constitution requires two-thirds approval from both the House and Senate, plus ratification by three-quarters of the states.
Legal experts dismiss the idea as implausible. “It’s illegal. He has no chance. That’s all there is to say,” Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, told last month. The only U.S. president to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose four-term tenure prompted the 22nd Amendment’s creation after his death in office.
Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, has kept the speculation alive, though he avoided specifics in his latest comments. If he completes his second term in January 2029, he will be 82 years and 7 months old—surpassing Joe Biden’s record as the oldest president at 82 years and 2 months upon leaving office.
While Trump’s remarks may energize his base, they reignite debates over constitutional limits and his unconventional approach to political norms, leaving observers to wonder whether the third-term talk is a serious proposal or simply a provocative aside.
Key Points: Trump’s Third-Term Comments
- Third-Term Hint: President Donald Trump suggested he could pursue a third term, claiming “there are methods” to bypass the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two elected terms, during an NBC interview on Sunday.
- Not Joking: Trump emphasized he was “not joking” about the possibility, though he said his current focus is on his second term and it’s “far too early to think about it.”
- Potential Strategies: He alluded to scenarios, including Vice President JD Vance running in 2028 and “passing the baton” back, but declined to provide details, saying “there are others too.”
- Constitutional Barrier: The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, caps presidential service at two terms, a response to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency.
- Allies’ Support: Steve Bannon argues the amendment’s wording allows nonconsecutive terms, while Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has proposed a bill to amend it, though such changes require two-thirds congressional votes and ratification by 38 states.
- Legal Pushback: Experts like Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center call the idea “illegal” and unfeasible under current law.
- Past Teases: Trump has floated a third term before, joking at a Nevada rally about serving “three or four times” and prompting “Four more years!” chants at a White House event, though he later clarified a two-term intent.
- Age Milestone: If he finishes his second term in January 2029, Trump will be 82 years and 7 months old, making him the oldest U.S. president ever, topping Joe Biden’s record of 82 years and 2 months.
