Trump Hints At Possible Third Term, Cites Unspecified Methods
US President Donald Trump has once again suggested he may seek a third term in office, despite the constitutional two-term limit.
Speaking to NBC News in a phone interview on Sunday, Trump stated, “I’m not joking,” when asked about the possibility, adding, “There are methods which you could do it.” His remarks were later echoed in conversations with reporters aboard Air Force One, where he noted that many of his supporters had encouraged him to extend his time in office.
“We have almost four years to go, and that’s a long time, but despite that, so many people are saying, ‘You’ve got to run again.’ They love the job we’re doing,” Trump said, implying that discussions around a third term were gaining traction within his political circle.
Trump also claimed he had been presented with plans that could allow him to run again, hinting at a scenario where Vice President JD Vance might contest the presidency before stepping aside. “That’s one,” Trump said when asked about the possibility, adding, “There are others,” though he declined to elaborate.
Amending the US Constitution to permit a third term would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of US states—both of which remain unlikely given the current political landscape. Any amendment would also need ratification by three-quarters of state legislatures.
In January, shortly after Trump’s inauguration, Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to allow a third presidential term, though it remains uncertain whether such efforts will gain the necessary support.
Trump’s latest remarks have reignited debate over presidential term limits, a cornerstone of US democracy since the ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951.