Rerun

recurring claim

The recurring talk of a Trump third term

You're probably here because of the Oct 2026 rerun. This is the 11th time since 2018 this story has run. The previous rerun was Jul 2026.

About this story

Since 2018, Donald Trump has repeatedly said he might serve more than two terms. He has done this in jokes at rallies and dinners, in posts, in interviews (in March 2025 he said he was "not joking" and that "there are methods"), and by selling and wearing "Trump 2028" hats. At other times he has said the Constitution doesn't allow it. Allies such as Steve Bannon and Rep. Andy Ogles have pushed the idea. Legal experts say the 22nd Amendment ("No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice") rules out a third election.

Sources: 1, 2

20162026

Oct 2026 – ongoing "Right to run again" at an Iowa rally

On Oct. 20, at a White House event about a new Justice Department anti-fraud program, Trump referred to "my second term, or third term, depending on the way you want to define it." At an Iowa midterm rally on Oct. 22 he said, "I think the law says that I'm not allowed to run again" and "There's not a lot of wiggle room." He then said, "I think I have the right to run again because they cheated," which refers to his claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Euronews said those allegations "have not been substantiated," and Newsweek said there is no evidence that fraud changed the 2020 result. Newsweek noted that the 22nd Amendment says "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice," and that Trump won in 2016 and 2024. The reports did not describe any campaign, filing or legal strategy.

  • Newsweek (pre–2013) article
    They cheated us on the second one because we won it three times, so I think I have the right to run again. I think I have the right to run again because they cheated.
  • The New Republic article
    It's been that way since the very beginning of my second term, or third term, depending on the way you want to define it, and I don't want the results of this; I'd like the third term but I don't want the results of the second term.
  • euronews.com broadcast
    US President Donald Trump has again suggested he could seek a third term in 2028, despite the US Constitution limiting presidents to two elected terms.

Sources: Newsweek (pre–2013) needs a second source · The New Republic needs a second source · euronews.com reliable

Jul 2026 – Aug 2026 Correspondents' dinner hat, AI images, "the law is very strong"

At the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner on July 24, Trump said he intended "to run for a fourth term as president," said "I won, I won three times. Now I'm gonna do it again," and wore a red "Trump 2028" cap (Roll Call). Roll Call noted the line implied he had won the 2020 race against Joe Biden, which it called false. He also said "the third time will be better yet. I'm only kidding" (Fox). Trump posted AI-generated "Trump 2028" images on Truth Social on July 26 and Aug. 15; one Aug. 15 image carried the words "We are going to win" (Newsweek). On Aug. 11, asked whether he was serious, he said "I'd love to run, but the law is very strong." Roll Call reported he did not answer when asked whether that meant "no." Roll Call also said the 22nd Amendment bars anyone from being elected president more than twice and that Trump was elected in 2016 and 2024.

  • rollcall.com article
    I won, I won three times. Now I'm gonna do it again
  • Fox News article
    I'd love to run, but the law is very strong.
  • Newsweek (pre–2013) article
    Another depicted Trump wearing a dark "Trump 2028" cap alongside the words: "We are going to win."
  • c-span.org video Watch
    I won three times, now I'm gonna do it again.

Sources: rollcall.com reliable · Newsweek (pre–2013) needs a second source · Fox News needs a second source · aol.com needs a second source

Oct 2025 The recurring talk of a Trump third term

Bannon, an ally with no official role in the administration, told The Economist that Trump is "going to get a third term." He said a "plan" would be unveiled "at the appropriate time" (PolitiFact). On Oct. 27 Trump said "I would love to do it." He said running as vice president would be "allowed" but he would rule it out as "too cute" (PolitiFact, Fox News). On Oct. 29 he said "I'm not allowed to run. It's too bad." In a separate remark he said "So we'll see what happens" (PBS/AP). The pattern is a stated claim of a plan from an ally, then the president expressing interest, then the president acknowledging the constitutional limit while leaving it slightly open.

  • PolitiFact article
    he's going to get a third term … People ought to just get accommodated with that.
  • Fox News article
    "You'd be allowed to do that, but I wouldn't do that. I think it's too cute," Trump responded.
  • Public Broadcasting Service article
    "If you read it, it's pretty clear," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One enroute from Japan to South Korea. "I'm not allowed to run. It's too bad."
  • youtube.com video

Sources: PolitiFact reliable · Public Broadcasting Service reliable · Fox News needs a second source

Apr 2025 Trump Store sells "Trump 2028" hats

On April 24, 2025, the Trump Organization's online store started selling a $50 "Trump 2028" hat (ABC, Axios, Forbes). This came weeks after Trump told NBC News on March 30, 2025 that he was "not joking" about a third term and that "there are methods which you could do it" (Forbes, ABC). That day, Eric Trump, the president's son and a Trump Organization executive, posted an Instagram story of himself wearing the hat (Forbes). Trump's political operation's X account also posted that he was "rocking the new Trump 2028 hat" (Axios). ABC quoted Hamline University constitutional-law professor David Schultz saying the 22nd Amendment rules out a third term. This wave is about merchandise, not a stated plan. Forbes noted the store's product description gives no direct sign of whether the hat is meant to support a third term "or have some other meaning, like the candidacy of one of his family members." The coverage leaned on Trump's March "not joking" remarks for context. Trump himself made no new statement about a third term in these articles.

  • ABC News article
    The hat, which appeared on the site on Thursday, is being sold for $50, and the website adds that the hats are "Made in America."
  • forbes.com article
    Eric Trump, one of the president's sons and vice president of the Trump Organization, posted an Instagram story Thursday morning wearing the hat and linking to the website.
  • Axios article
    Trump's political operations account on X Thursday said Eric Trump was "rocking the new Trump 2028 hat" as it showed the president's son wearing the new merchandise.

Sources: ABC News reliable · Axios reliable · forbes.com needs a second source · Newsweek (pre–2013) needs a second source

Mar 2025 – Apr 2025 "Not joking" and "there are methods"

In a phone interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker on March 30, 2025, Trump said "I'm not joking" about a third term. He said "There are methods which you could do it." Asked about Vice President JD Vance running in 2028 and then passing the office to him, he said "Well, that's one. But there are others too," and declined to say more (CNN). The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, says "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice" (CNN; FactCheck.org). A Daily Mail story on March 29 had revived a "loophole" argument based on a 1999 Minnesota Law Review article. Legal scholars told FactCheck.org that argument is "implausible." On April 6, Bondi told Fox News a third-term attempt "would be a heavy lift" (Forbes). Trump said explicitly that he was not joking, and he said "methods" exist. He declined to detail methods other than the Vance scenario and added "It is far too early to think about it" (CNN). By contrast, CNN described his January 2025 Nevada rally remark about serving "three times or four times" as "apparently joking," and said he "later clarified" it.

  • CNN article
    "There are methods which you could do it," the president said when asked whether there are strategies on the table to allow him to seek another term.
  • forbes.com article
    Bondi told Fox News she thinks Trump is "going to be finished probably after this term," adding if Trump wanted to run again, "We'd have to look at the Constitution" and "it would be a heavy lift."
  • youtube.com video
    I'm not joking

Sources: CNN reliable · factcheck.org reliable · forbes.com needs a second source

Jan 2025 – Feb 2025 Ogles amendment and "Am I allowed to run again, Mike?"

On Jan. 23, 2025, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) introduced a joint resolution to amend the 22nd Amendment. It reads: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms." His release said: "This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms." Two days later in Las Vegas, Trump said it would be an honor "to serve, not once but twice—or three times or four times." He then added: "no, it will be to serve twice." On Jan. 27 he asked Speaker Mike Johnson: "Am I allowed to run again, Mike?" The Ogles resolution was a formal proposal by an ally. In Las Vegas Trump corrected himself to "twice," and none of the remarks described a plan.

  • ogles.house.gov statement
    This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs
  • govinfo.gov statement
    Am I allowed to run again, Mike?
  • boingboing.net video Watch
    I've raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I can't use for myself, but I'm not 100% sure… I think I'm not allowed to run again. Am I allowed to run again? Mike, I better not get you involved in that.

Sources: ny1.com needs a second source · Time reliable

Nov 2024 Remark to House Republicans

On Nov. 13, 2024, President-elect Trump told House Republicans: "I suspect I won't be running again, unless you say, 'He's so good, we've got to figure something else out.'" Newsweek reported that the remark "sparked Democratic outrage, though others said his comment was simply a joke." On Nov. 14, Rep. Dan Goldman said he was introducing a resolution stating that the 22nd Amendment "applies to President-elect Trump." It listed 15 examples, 14 of them statements by Trump. On Nov. 15, FactCheck.org wrote that Trump had "recently reignited a constitutional debate" and asked constitutional law scholars about the 22nd Amendment.

  • spectrumlocalnews.com article
    "This is his MO," Goldman told reporters Thursday. "He will drop in something outlandish, claim he's joking, but then he starts to repeat it more and more, and it starts to become normalized."
  • factcheck.org article
    "I don't think there's any realistic possibility that the 22nd Amendment could be repealed," Kermit Roosevelt, a constitutional law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told FactCheck.org.

Sources: Newsweek (pre–2013) needs a second source · spectrumlocalnews.com needs a second source · factcheck.org reliable

May 2024 "Three-term or two-term?" at the NRA convention

Speaking at the NRA's annual meeting in Dallas on May 18, 2024, the presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump said FDR served "almost 16 years." He then asked, "are we going to be considered three-term or two-term? You tell me," and added, "Are we three-term or two-term if we win?" The Boston Globe reported that some in the crowd shouted "three." The Globe also noted that the 22nd Amendment bars anyone from being elected president more than twice, and that Trump had made similar remarks in 2019 and 2020. In April, Trump had told Time magazine he "wouldn't be in favor of" challenging the 22nd Amendment, and that "I intend to serve four years" (reported by Salon and the Globe).

  • rev.com statement
    FDR, 16 years, almost 16 years, he was four-term. I don't know, are we going to be considered three-term or two-term? You tell me. Ronny, what do you think? Are we three-term or two-term if we win?
  • bostonglobe.com article
    Some in the crowd could be heard shouting "three" in response
  • salon.com article
    One takeaway: he proposed the idea of a third term, which he directly spoke against during an interview with Time magazine back in April.
  • c-span.org video Watch
    questioned whether he would be a two-term or three-term president

Sources: bostonglobe.com needs a second source · salon.com needs a second source · rollcall.com reliable

Aug 2020 "Redo of four years" remarks at the Oshkosh, Wis., and Yuma, Ariz., rallies

At an Aug. 17, 2020 rally in Oshkosh, Wis., Trump, then running for a second term, said: "We are going to win four more years, and then after that, we'll go for another four years because you know what? They spied on my campaign. We should get a redo of four years." (FOX 13/AP). The next day in Yuma, Ariz., a Vox reporter's posted clip, as embedded by Snopes, shows him saying "we'll probably be entitled to another four more years." FOX 13 and Rolling Stone both set the remark against the 22nd Amendment, quoting its text: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." Snopes said the comment "was widely interpreted to mean the president might seek a third term." It added that Trump had said in earlier cases that such comments were jokes. None of the sources describes a stated plan or concrete steps toward a third term.

Sources: Snopes reliable · fox5dc.com needs a second source · au.rollingstone.com needs a second source · wbir.com needs a second source

Jun 2019 "Demand that I stay longer" tweet

On June 16, 2019, while calling The New York Times and The Washington Post "the Enemy of the People," Trump tweeted that "at the end of 6 years… I leave the beautiful White House (do you think the people would demand that I stay longer? KEEP AMERICA GREAT)." The Post reported that he "floated the possibility of staying in office longer than two terms." It noted that "The 22nd Amendment of the Constitution limits the presidency to two terms," and that he had "previously joked" about it, including saying in April 2019 that he might stay "at least for 10 or 14 years." The remark was a question inside parentheses, not a stated plan. A June 18, 2019 CNN piece by Chris Cillizza, cited by the Columbia Law Review, was titled "Donald Trump Just Keeps 'Joking' About Serving More than 2 Terms as President."

  • x.com social post
    (do you think the people would demand that I stay longer? KEEP AMERICA GREAT)
  • The Washington Post article
    President Trump on Sunday floated the possibility of staying in office longer than two terms, suggesting in a morning tweet that his supporters might 'demand that I stay longer.'

Sources: inquirer.com needs a second source · rollingstone.com needs a second source · columbialawreview.org needs a second source

Mar 2018 Trump praises Xi's "president for life" change: "Maybe we'll give that a shot some day"

At a closed-door lunch and fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on March 3, 2018, CNN obtained a recording of Trump praising China's Xi Jinping. Trump said: "He's now president for life. President for life. And he's great… I think it's great. Maybe we'll give that a shot some day." AP reported the remarks "were met with laughter and applause." Reuters noted it was "not clear if Trump, 71, was making the comment about extending presidential service in jest." It also said the White House had not responded to a request for comment late Saturday. CNN's March 8 analysis called it "a joke because it would violate the Constitution." It linked the remark to Trump telling departing adviser Gary Cohn, "We'll be here another seven years, hopefully," and noted that the 22nd Amendment bars anyone from being elected president more than twice.

  • CNN article
    "He's now president for life. President for life. And he's great," Trump said. "And look, he was able to do that. I think it's great. Maybe we'll give that a shot some day."
  • Public Broadcasting Service article
    Trump's remarks were met with laughter and applause during a luncheon for Republican donors Saturday at his South Florida estate.
  • CNN article
    It's a joke because it would violate the Constitution, but here it's exhibit #1.
  • youtube.com video

Sources: CNN reliable · Public Broadcasting Service reliable · Al Jazeera reliable · CNN reliable