What's happened
As of late October 2025, President Donald Trump, currently serving his second term, has publicly expressed interest in running for a third term in 2028, despite the constitutional prohibition under the 22nd Amendment. Trump dismissed the idea of circumventing term limits by running as vice president, but left open the possibility of legal challenges. House Speaker Mike Johnson and constitutional experts affirm the constitutional barriers remain firm.
What's behind the headline?
Constitutional Limits vs. Political Ambition
President Trump's flirtation with a third term challenges the clear constitutional boundary set by the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits more than two elected terms. Despite this, Trump’s public statements and the distribution of "Trump 2028" merchandise signal a strategic effort to keep his political base energized and maintain influence within the GOP.
Legal and Political Realities
Constitutional scholars uniformly agree that a third term bid would face insurmountable legal hurdles. The 12th Amendment also bars anyone constitutionally ineligible for the presidency from serving as vice president, closing a commonly speculated loophole. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, has publicly acknowledged these constraints, emphasizing the difficulty of amending the Constitution.
The Role of Allies and Messaging
Steve Bannon’s claims of a "plan" to secure a third term appear more as political signaling than a concrete legal strategy. This rhetoric serves to rally Trump’s supporters and unsettle opponents, while the president himself remains noncommittal about legal challenges, maintaining ambiguity to keep options open.
Implications for the Republican Party
Trump’s ongoing hints complicate GOP succession planning, with figures like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio positioned as potential 2028 candidates. Trump’s refusal to rule out a third term keeps his political influence alive, potentially overshadowing emerging leaders.
Forecast
Given the constitutional barriers and political realities, a successful third term bid is highly unlikely. However, Trump’s continued engagement with the idea will shape Republican politics and national discourse through 2028, influencing voter mobilization and party dynamics. The debate underscores tensions between constitutional norms and political ambitions in contemporary U.S. politics.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports Trump’s candid admission aboard Air Force One that "I’m not allowed to run" for a third term, yet he adds, "So we’ll see what happens," highlighting his ambiguous stance. The Independent details House Speaker Mike Johnson’s firm position that the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment bars a third term, quoting Johnson: "It’s been a great run, but I think the president knows... the constrictions of the Constitution." The South China Morning Post and AP News echo Johnson’s remarks, emphasizing the constitutional hurdles and the decade-long process required to amend the Constitution.
Steve Bannon’s interview with The Economist, cited by The Independent and SBS, claims a "plan" exists for Trump to secure a third term, though no specifics are provided. Bannon’s framing of Trump as an "instrument of divine will" and his assertion that "Trump is going to be president in '28" contrast with constitutional experts’ views, underscoring the political theater aspect.
The NY Post highlights Trump’s dismissal of the vice president run strategy as "too cute," reinforcing his awareness of legal limits but also his desire to keep options open. Trump’s public promotion of "Trump 2028" hats, noted by multiple sources, serves as a symbolic gesture to maintain supporter enthusiasm.
Together, these sources illustrate a complex interplay between constitutional law, political strategy, and public messaging, with Trump and his allies navigating legal realities while keeping the prospect of a third term alive in public discourse.
How we got here
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits U.S. presidents to two elected terms, a response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency. Trump, elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2024, has repeatedly hinted at a third term, sparking debate about constitutional limits and political strategy within the Republican Party and beyond.
Go deeper
- What legal barriers prevent Trump from running for a third term?
- Who are the potential Republican candidates for 2028 besides Trump?
- What is Steve Bannon's plan for a third Trump term?
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Stephen Kevin Bannon is an American media executive, political strategist, former investment banker, and the former executive chairman of Breitbart News. He served as White House Chief Strategist in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump during
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Marco Antonio Rubio is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A Republican, Rubio previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
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James Michael Johnson is an American attorney, politician, and former talk radio host serving as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district.