US President Donald Trump seemingly ruled out running for a third term in office and admitted he could not stand again next time his current term expires in January 2029, because of the Constitution.
“And if you read it, I think it’s really pretty clear — I’m not allowed to run. It’s unfortunate,” Donald Trump told reporters traveling on Air Force One on Wednesday to South Korea, in a reversal from previous comments where he stopped short of ruling out another run.
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits a candidate from winning a third term as president, but Donald Trump has publicly mused about the idea since he was defeated in his bid for a second term last November.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he had discussed the matter with Donald Trump and that there was no possible way to change the Constitution soon enough for a third term to be feasibly pursued. “It’s been a good run,” Johnson said. “But I think the president understands, and he and I have spoken about this, the limitations of the Constitution.”
Johnson said the amendment process would require two-thirds of both houses of Congress to approve it and then three-fourths of the states to ratify it — something he could take up to a decade. “I don’t see the path for that,” he added.
Donald Trump and his allies, including former strategist Steve Bannon, have floated legal theories to get around the two-term cap imposed by the 22nd Amendment.
Donald Trump has mentioned the idea at rallies and sells “Trump 2028” merchandise, but Johnson called it political theater. “He gets a kick out of that, roiling the Democrats whose hair is on fire over the mere thought,” Johnson added.
Donald Trump, 79, also mentioned earlier this week that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio could be potential GOP candidates for the 2028 election. Were Trump to run again, he would be 82 years old and the oldest president in American history.
