President Donald Trump reignited a contentious political discussion by refusing to rule out the possibility of seeking a third term in the White House, a move that would challenge the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.
In an exclusive phone interview with NBC News, Trump suggested there might be “methods” to pursue such an unprecedented bid, clarifying that he was “not joking” about the idea, though he emphasized it was “far too early to think about it.”
The remarks have drawn sharp reactions from legal experts, political allies, and critics alike, amplifying speculation about his long-term intentions.
NBC News reported Trump saying, “A lot of people want me to do it,” referring to encouragement from his allies. While he claimed his focus remains on his current term, his cryptic comment about “methods” has fueled questions about what legal or political strategies he might be alluding to.
“I’m not — it is far too early to think about it,” Trump added, yet his refusal to outright dismiss the notion has kept the story alive.
The White House has not provided further clarification, though it has leaned into Trump’s larger-than-life persona in other contexts, such as celebrating his influence with mock imagery of him as royalty.
This is not the first time Trump has floated the idea of extending his presidency beyond constitutional limits. Insider Paper noted that as early as November 13, 2024, Trump raised the possibility of a third term during his transition period following the 2024 election.
That earlier comment, paired with his latest statements, suggests a recurring theme in his rhetoric that resonates with some supporters but alarms opponents who see it as a threat to democratic norms.
Steve Bannon, a prominent Trump ally, amplified the speculation in a recent News Nation interview, asserting that Trump could “run and win again in 2028.”
Bannon hinted at “a couple of alternatives” to circumvent the two-term limit, though he offered no specifics.
His comments, as reported by NBC News, underscore a faction within Trump’s base that views his leadership as potentially unbound by traditional constraints, a sentiment echoed in posts on X where supporters have expressed enthusiasm for a prolonged Trump tenure.
Legal scholars, however, are quick to point out the formidable barriers. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, explicitly states that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
Amending the Constitution to allow a third term would require a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by 38 states—a process most analysts deem politically unfeasible in today’s polarized climate.
“The Constitution is clear,” said constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley in a statement to CNBC. “Any ‘method’ would need to overcome that, and I don’t see a realistic path.”
Despite the legal hurdles, Trump’s remarks have stirred a mix of intrigue and outrage. Posts on X reflect this divide, with some users hailing the idea of a “Trump forever” presidency, while others decry it as “ongoing Constitutional disrespect,” as one user put it.
The timing of the comments—early in his second term—adds to the uncertainty, with critics arguing it distracts from pressing governance issues, while supporters see it as a bold vision for the future.
