Topline
President Donald Trump on Wednesday acknowledged he will not be able to run for a third presidential term due to constitutional limits, after the president frequently hinted at running again and even displayed “Trump 2028” hats inside the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to journalists aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea.
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Key Facts
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One while flying to South Korea, Trump acknowledged the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment and said, “I would say that, if you read it, it’s pretty clear.”
“I’m not allowed to run, it’s too bad…I mean, it’s too bad,” the president said in response to a question on whether he was “trolling” or serious when talking about running for a third term.
Trump then noted that the GOP has a “lot of great people,” who could run instead in 2028.
The president lamented not being allowed to run for a third time, saying, “the sad thing is, I have my highest numbers that I’ve ever had,” even though aggregates of recent polling numbers show his approval rating at only 43%, while disapproval rating is 54%.
He then added, “Based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run.”
News Peg
Trump’s apparent acknowledgment of his inability to run for a third term comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., addressed the matter during a press conference on Tuesday. When asked about the president’s recent remarks about running again, Johnson said Trump was having a “good time…trolling” Democrats, but “he and I have talked about the constrictions of the Constitution, as much as so many of the American people lament that.” Johnson then added: “I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution; I don’t see the path for that.”
What Has Trump Said About Running Again In 2028?
In recent weeks, Trump and some of his supporters have been discussing him running for a third term—despite the Constitution prohibiting it. On Monday, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo, the president was asked about a potential third term and said he “would love to do it.” The comment was in response to former White House adviser and vocal Trump ally Steve Bannon’s comment that there was a “plan” in place to ensure he gets a third term in office. Bannon told the Economist that: “Trump is going to be president in ’28, and people ought to just get accommodated with that…At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is.” In April, the Trump Organization’s online merchandise store started selling “Trump 2028” hats. These hats appeared on the desk at the Oval Office late last month when Trump met with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
What Does The 22nd Amendment Say?
According to the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.” The amendment was approved by Congress in 1947 after Franklin D Roosevelt became the first and president to be reelected for a third term in 1940 and then a fourth term 1944.
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