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Trump’s Third-Term Remarks Fuel Debate Over Constitutional Limits

Donald Trump claims there are 'methods' to seek a third term, but legal experts and political leaders dismiss the idea as implausible under the 22nd Amendment.

Illustration by Noah Hickey. (Photo of Franklin Roosevelt from the Bettman Collection/Getty Images. Photo of Donald Trump by Win McNamee/Getty Images.)
Uh Oh: Trump told NBC News that he's "not joking" about the possibility of a third term and that there are "methods" for it.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on March 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is headed to Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida for the weekend.
President Donald Trump attends Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona on December 22, 2024.

Overview

  • Donald Trump reiterated in a recent NBC interview that he is 'not joking' about the possibility of seeking a third presidential term, citing unspecified 'methods' to achieve it.
  • The 22nd Amendment explicitly prohibits any individual from being elected president more than twice, presenting a significant legal barrier to such a move.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders have downplayed Trump's comments, emphasizing that constitutional amendments require a high threshold of bipartisan support.
  • A recent YouGov poll shows that 56% of Americans believe Trump will attempt to pursue a third term, reflecting widespread public concern despite skepticism from experts.
  • Legal experts and political figures largely view Trump's statements as a strategy to maintain relevance and delay lame-duck status rather than a realistic plan.