Trump revives talk of a third term, leaving 2028 plans unclear despite constitutional limit
President Donald Trump has again raised the possibility of seeking a third term, leaving open the question of whether he might attempt to remain in the White House beyond January 2029 despite the constitutional limits on presidential terms.
Trump and his allies have repeatedly floated the idea while acknowledging that the Constitution presents a major obstacle. The 22nd Amendment prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice. Trump won the presidency in 2016 and 2024, making another election bid constitutionally problematic.
When asked Aug. 11 whether he was serious about running again in 2028, Trump acknowledged the legal barrier but stopped short of ruling out another campaign. “Everybody wants me to do it, but the law is very strong,” he said.
Steve Bannon, a former Trump campaign manager and White House chief strategist, has also suggested that efforts are underway to explore possible alternatives. “We’re working on it,” Bannon said in June, adding that there could be several options for addressing the issue.
Trump had appeared at times last year to accept that another Republican would become the party's nominee in 2028. He mentioned Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as possible contenders. But in recent months, references to “Trump 2028” have resurfaced.
Trump's social media account recently shared an image of him wearing a “Trump 2028” hat with the message, “We are going to win.” He has also joked about running for another term during public appearances while sometimes making comments that appeared more serious.
At a July 24 event, Trump said he intended to run for a fourth term, though the remarks were later characterized by some aides as a joke. His comments nevertheless continued to fuel speculation about whether he intends to pursue some way around the constitutional restriction.
Legal experts have largely dismissed the possibility as unlikely to survive constitutional scrutiny. University of North Carolina law professor Michael Gerhardt said Trump's ambiguity could itself serve a political purpose by keeping potential Republican challengers uncertain about whether he intends to remain involved in the 2028 race.
Other legal scholars have similarly described the prospect of a third Trump term as a dead end, noting the clear language of the 22nd Amendment. UCLA law professor Rick Hasen said he does not take Trump's comments about another campaign seriously and suggested the situation would become clearer after the 2026 midterm elections, when potential Republican candidates begin preparing their own campaigns.
Trump's history of challenging election norms has added significance to the discussion. Following his 2020 defeat, he sought to overturn the results and his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, temporarily disrupting the certification of President Joe Biden's victory.
The uncertainty could also affect the Republican Party's succession battle. Potential 2028 candidates typically begin organizing, raising money and seeking endorsements after the president's party faces the midterm elections. Gerhardt compared Trump's strategy to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's approach before the 1940 election, when Roosevelt's refusal to definitively rule out a third term discouraged other Democrats from entering the race.
Still, legal experts remain skeptical that Trump could successfully overcome the 22nd Amendment. Hasen said he does not expect Trump's legal team to seriously pursue such an effort and doubts the Supreme Court would ultimately approve a third-term bid.
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