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By Stars Insider
US President Donald Trump has not ruled out seeking a third term in the White House, despite the 22nd Amendment prohibiting it.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo in October 2025, a reporter referenced recent comments from Trump ally Steve Bannon, who said, “He’s going to get a third term. Trump is going to be president in ‘28, and people ought to just get accommodated with that.” Trump responded, “I’m not sure if anybody would run again. I think if they ever formed a group, it would be unstoppable. I really believe that. I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever.”
His comments have prompted further discussion about whether he will seek to extend his presidency beyond two terms. A recent survey indicates that over half of Americans believe he will try.
To learn more about the mechanisms available for a potential third term, click through now.
In a recent YouGov poll, 52% of Americans believe President Trump will seek a third term.
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution limits a president to two full terms, totalling eight years.
Congressional Democrats
Congressional Democrats are proposing a measure that would clarify the 22nd Amendment and explicitly prohibit a third term in office.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
The amendment was ratified in 1951 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected for four consecutive terms from 1932 to 1944.
Earliest times
One of the first times President Trump proposed extending his presidency beyond a second term was in 2020.
Reno rally remarks
In Reno, Trump said, “We’re going to win Nevada, and we’re going to win four more years in the White House. Then after that, we’ll negotiate. Right? Because we’re probably—based on the way we were treated—we’re probably entitled to another four after that.”
TIME interview
In an April 2024 TIME interview, Trump denied that he’d challenge the 22nd Amendment. In fact, he said that he’d only serve one term, that he’d do an excellent job and that he’d leave after.
Post-election time interview
After President Trump was re-elected, he gave another interview to TIME, in which he said it was sad that he wouldn’t be president again.
Inauguration comments
At a post-second-term inauguration event in Las Vegas, President Trump said that, “It will be the greatest honour of (his) life to serve, not once but twice, or three times or four times.
Headlines
Upon hearing cheers from his crowd of supporters, he said, “Headlines for the fake news,” before clarifying, “No, it will be to serve twice.”
Two days later
Two days later, speaking to House Republicans in Florida, President Trump mentioned the money he’s raised and his assumption that he can’t use it for himself, since he’s not allowed to run again.
Black History Month
At the February 20th Black History Month reception at the White House, President Trump told the audience to tell him if he should run again. They then chanted, “Four more years!”
Bending the Constitution
Politico Magazine outlined four ways that Trump could “snatch a third term—despite the 22nd Amendment.” The three ways he might do this are to change the Constitution, sidestep it, ignore it, or defy it.
A complete change
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said during her confirmation hearing that, in order for President Trump to serve a third term, he’d have to change the Constitution.
The resolution
Trump ally, Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, introduced a joint resolution to start the process.
How to amend the Constitution
Amending the Constitution takes a lot more than passing a normal bill. It requires two-thirds support from both chambers and then ratification by three-fourths of all US states.
Skepticism
UC Berkeley Law dean Erwin Chemerinsky said there is “no way” such an amendment would meet those thresholds.
Loopholes in the Constitution
According to Politico, the second pathway for a third-term presidency is for President Trump to “exploit a little-noticed loophole” in the Constitution. The 22nd Amendment says a president can’t be elected to a third term; however, it says nothing about serving a third term.
Ascending to the presidency
Some have understood this to mean that someone could again ascend to the presidency from the vice presidency.
The 12th Amendment and vice presidential eligibility
However, the 12th Amendment states, “Anyone ineligible to serve as President is also ineligible to be Vice President.”
Interpreting the constitutional text, a government professor, Bruce Peabody, suggests that some individuals might attempt to creatively interpret the amendments.
Unconventional legal approaches
If President Trump were to first become vice president, he’d need to be appointed, as Gerald Ford did when he ascended to the presidency.
How President Trump might ignore or defy the Constitution
If no amendment passes and Trump tries to run or serve again, the courts would decide.
The Supreme Court’s role
It’s quite possible that the Supreme Court could rule in President Trump’s favour, given that six of the nine justices were appointed by Republicans and three of those by Trump himself.
Opinions on legal standing
The professor emeritus of constitutional law at Harvard University and one of the country’s leading experts on the Constitution, Laurence Tribe, sees that as not possible. He acknowledges the court is very in favour of Trump, but “it’s not insane.”
Some have raised the possibility that Trump could refuse to leave office in 2029, despite constitutional and judicial processes.
J.D Vance
Vice President J.D. Vance has said the executive branch should ignore the judicial branch.
It remains to be seen whether President Trump will attempt any of these approaches or retain his position.
Edited by Kehinde Adegoke
