On March 30, 2025, President Donald Trump, in a Sunday morning phone interview addressed the prospect of pursuing a third term in the White House—a move explicitly prohibited by the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. During the conversation, Trump remarked, “A lot of people want me to do it,” referencing encouragement from his allies. He tempered this by stating, “But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration.” When pressed about his intentions, he added, “I’m focused on the current,” indicating that his primary attention remains on his present term. However, when asked directly about the desire for another term, Trump responded, “I like working,” and emphasized, “I’m not joking,” while also noting, “it is far too early to think about it.”
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 following President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term tenure, clearly stipulates: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” This constitutional provision aims to prevent any individual from holding the presidency for more than two terms, thereby ensuring a regular transition of executive power. Despite this, Trump hinted at potential avenues to circumvent this limitation, stating, “There are methods which you could do it.” When queried about specific strategies, he acknowledged the scenario wherein Vice President JD Vance might run for office and subsequently transfer the role back to Trump, conceding, “that’s one” method, but cryptically added, “But there are others too,” without elaboration.
Legal scholars and constitutional experts have expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of such maneuvers. Amending the Constitution to abolish the two-term limit would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. Subsequently, any proposed amendment would require ratification by three-fourths of the states—a process widely regarded as exceedingly arduous in the current polarized political climate. Furthermore, the 12th Amendment specifies that “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States,” suggesting that an individual barred from the presidency would similarly be disqualified from the vice presidency. Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller emphasized that such a strategy would face significant legal hurdles, noting that the 12th Amendment would render Trump ineligible to serve as vice president.
Despite these constitutional barriers, discussions about a potential third term have gained traction among some of Trump’s supporters. Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, has introduced a resolution aimed at amending the 22nd Amendment to permit a president to serve three terms, explicitly to enable Trump to seek another term in office. Ogles articulated that this amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring the continuation of what he described as bold leadership. Concurrently, Steve Bannon, a former adviser and steadfast ally of Trump, asserted in an interview with News Nation that he believes Trump will “run and win again in 2028,” suggesting that there are “a couple of alternatives” to navigate the constitutional constraints.
Critics argue that these discussions are politically motivated, intended to project strength and counter perceptions of a lame-duck presidency. They contend that such rhetoric serves to energize the base and distract from ongoing political challenges. Despite claims of widespread public support for a third term, polling data indicates that Trump’s approval ratings have not surpassed 47%, a figure that falls short of historic highs achieved by previous presidents. This suggests a divided public opinion on the matter, with substantial opposition to any attempts to extend presidential tenure beyond the established constitutional limits.
The White House has further fueled speculation by amplifying Trump’s comments that liken himself to royalty. Notably, the administration posted an image of a fabricated magazine cover depicting Trump adorned with a crown, following the administration’s decision to halt congestion pricing in New York City. This post on platform X quoted Trump’s earlier remarks on Truth Social, exclaiming, “LONG LIVE THE KING!” Such actions have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, who decry these suggestions as extreme and potentially dangerous to the foundational principles of American democracy.
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