Donald Trump has once again stirred up conversation by suggesting he may not be entirely opposed to the idea of a third term in the White House — despite the U.S. Constitution’s clear two-term limit for presidents.
In a March 30 interview with NBC News, Trump hinted at the possibility in his signature ambiguous style, saying, “A lot of people want me to do it. But I usually tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s still early in the administration.”
While he emphasized his current focus is on his second term, Trump didn’t outright reject the idea of a third. “I like working. I’m not joking. But I’m not—it is far too early to think about it,” he said, before adding something that’s now raising eyebrows: “There are methods which you could do it.”
When asked to elaborate, Trump referred to the idea of a vice president stepping into office and then passing the role back to him. He responded simply, “That’s one.” When prompted for more examples, he declined, saying only, “No.”
The 22nd Amendment clearly states that no one can be elected president more than twice. But Trump’s remarks — which many might write off as classic Trumpian showmanship — have sparked renewed debates on whether he or anyone else could somehow maneuver around this long-standing rule.
Reactions from both sides of the political aisle have been swift and concerned. While some of Trump’s supporters have floated the idea of amending the Constitution, critics warn that such moves could undermine one of the country’s foundational democratic principles.
Legally, any effort to alter the two-term limit would face an enormous challenge. A constitutional amendment would require approval by two-thirds of Congress or two-thirds of U.S. states to call for a constitutional convention, followed by ratification from three-quarters of the states. It’s a deliberately high bar — and one that’s rarely met.
Still, talk of a potential third term isn’t entirely new. Earlier this year, Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced a resolution to extend presidential term limits, specifically with Trump in mind. And Trump loyalist Steve Bannon told News Nation he believes Trump will “run and win again in 2028,” citing unnamed “alternatives” that might make it legally possible.
