Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he is seriously considering the possibility of serving a third term, despite constitutional restrictions that limit presidents to two terms.
“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump stated in a phone interview with NBC News from Mar-a-Lago, his private estate.
Speaking later to reporters aboard Air Force One, he claimed that many people had encouraged him to seek another term, even referring to it as a “fourth term” due to his ongoing claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
However, Trump acknowledged that such discussions are premature. “I don’t want to talk about a third term now because, no matter how you look at it, we’ve got a long time to go,” he said.
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, explicitly limits presidents to two terms.
Any attempt by Trump to extend his time in office would face significant legal and constitutional barriers. However, his comments have reignited concerns about his intentions regarding democratic norms.
“This is yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy,” said Rep. Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat who was a lead counsel in Trump’s first impeachment. He called on congressional Republicans to oppose any such ambitions.
Meanwhile, Trump’s allies continue to support the idea. Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist, recently encouraged the former president to run again in 2028 during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
“We want Trump in ‘28,” Bannon declared.
Trump’s remarks add to the ongoing political debate as he prepares for a potential 2024 rematch against President Joe Biden.
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