President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged that running for a third term in office is not an option due to constitutional limitations. Speaking to reporters before departing for South Korea, Trump stated, “It’s pretty clear I’m not allowed to run.” Despite this admission, he expressed confidence in the Republican Party’s potential candidates for the 2028 election.
Trump reflected on his current popularity, noting, “I have my highest poll numbers that I’ve ever had,” while suggesting that his ability to run again has been curtailed. He indicated that the Democratic Party lacks strong contenders, saying, “We have a lot of great people, which they [Democrats] don’t.”
2028 Election Aspirations
Earlier this week, Trump hinted at a potential presidential ticket featuring Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, labeling it as “unstoppable.” He criticized some Democratic figures, including Representative Jasmine Crockett and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, questioning their qualifications. “You give her an IQ test… I took very hard [exams] at Walter Reed,” he remarked.
In contrast, Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, has emerged as a leading Democratic candidate for 2028, according to a recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire. The poll indicates that Buttigieg leads with 19% support, followed closely by California Governor Gavin Newsom at 15% and Ocasio-Cortez at 14%.
Constitutional Limitations and Party Dynamics
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that Trump is aware of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits any individual from serving more than two terms as president. Johnson stated, “It’s been a great run, but I think the president knows… the constrictions of the Constitution.” He also commented on Trump’s playful engagement with the idea of a third term, describing it as a way to provoke Democratic reactions.
When asked about Johnson’s remarks, Trump redirected the conversation back to his polling numbers, highlighting his ongoing popularity within the party.
While Trump acknowledges the constitutional limitation, some of his former advisers, including Steve Bannon, continue to assert that a third term for Trump would reflect the “will of the American people.” Bannon articulated his belief that Trump could navigate the political landscape to achieve this goal, as reported in a recent interview with The Economist.
As the political landscape evolves, Trump’s focus shifts towards the upcoming election cycle, where he aims to solidify his influence within the Republican Party and position potential allies for a future campaign.
