By President Donald Trump stirred a new round of intrigue over his political future Monday, floating—and swiftly dismissing—the notion that he could seek a third term by running as vice president in 2028. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, Trump called the idea constitutionally sound but politically unappealing. “I’d be allowed to do it,” he told reporters. “But I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute.”
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump says he’d be allowed to serve a 3RD TERM in 2028 via running for vice president, then the president stepping down
But, “I wouldn't do that. I think it's too cute.” 😂
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 27, 2025
The offhand remark rekindled speculation among allies about how Trump, now 79, might extend his dominance beyond his second term, won in 2024. The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, adopted in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms, limits presidents to two elected terms. Still, Trump has long toyed with the idea of “serving longer,” framing it as a running joke—or a trial balloon.
Constitutional scholars have little patience for the loophole talk. The 12th Amendment, they note, explicitly bars anyone ineligible for the presidency from serving as vice president, making any such attempt likely unconstitutional. But Trump’s musings echoed recent comments from strategist Steve Bannon, who has urged Republicans to “explore mechanisms” for a third term, including potential constitutional reforms.
Pressed on whether he’d rule out a 2028 bid altogether, Trump demurred. “I’d love to do it,” he said, stopping short of a formal declaration. He then floated alternative tickets—Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for instance—calling them “unstoppable.” He also mocked potential Democratic rivals, daring Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to take the cognitive tests he claims to have “aced.”
Reaction online was predictably polarized. Supporters praised Trump’s remarks as “classic trolling,” while critics accused him of “flirting with authoritarianism.” One post warned, “The rule you break for him is the rule that lets Obama walk back in.” Others saw political theater. “He plants the seed of possibility while rejecting it,” one commenter wrote.
Conservative broadcaster Erick Erickson downplayed the uproar, calling it a distraction from “real issues” such as Friday’s inflation report. Meanwhile, leaked CPAC documents described a “Third Term Project” led by Rep. Andy Ogles, advocating constitutional amendments to preserve “continuity” in Trump’s leadership.
Inflation came in higher than expected on Friday. Democrat messaging? Outrage over Trump not knocking down Bannon's statements about a third term.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) October 27, 2025
Democrats, seizing on the moment, said Trump’s comments underscored his disregard for democratic norms. Axios noted that teasing constitutional limits fits a broader Trump strategy of “testing public reaction.” ABC News, which covered his concurrent boast about a “perfect” MRI at Walter Reed, described the exchange as another instance of Trump projecting vigor.
Even as he dismissed the vice-presidential path, Trump hinted at alternative routes—like serving as House Speaker and ascending through succession if both the president and vice president resigned. As one social media user quipped, “The only loophole I see is to become Speaker, then the President and VP both resign.”
With the 2028 race already taking shape—California Gov. Gavin Newsom among the early Democratic contenders—Trump’s hints ensure one thing: the trolling (and liberal panic) over term limits, and the durability of his movement, won’t be ending anytime soon.
[Read More: Kamala: ‘I’m Not Done’]
