President Donald Trump revealed he’s “not joking” about running for a third term during a Sunday phone call with NBC News’s Kristen Welker.
“A lot of people want me to do it,” Trump reportedly told Welker, vaguely referring to allies. “But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go. You know, it’s very early in the administration.”
“I’m focused on the current,” the president continued.
“I’m not joking,” Trump clarified. “But I’m not — it is far too early to think about it.”
“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump added, responding to a question on if he has embraced plans to seek reelection for a third term. Seeking a third term, however, is prohibited by the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution.
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,” the amendment states.
Trump was also reportedly asked if it was possible Vice President JD Vance would run for president and later pass the role onto Trump, to which Trump said, “That’s one” method. (RELATED: ‘Heir Apparent’: Here’s How JD Vance’s New RNC Role Puts Him In Pole Position For 2028)
“But there are others, too,” the president reportedly added without elaboration.
Trump has previously made several remarks about running for office again.
“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,” he said to House Republicans days after emerging victorious in the 2024 general election. “I think I’m not allowed to run again.”
Democratic New York Rep. Dan Goldman announced in November 2024 a “resolution which would re-affirm that the 22nd Amendment is explicit in prohibiting Presidents who have served two full terms from running for the Presidency again.”
Goldman wanted to further “condemn [then-] President-Elect Donald Trump’s frequent statements suggesting he could serve past the end of his most recent term.”
Goldman also included an example of Trump’s comments in the announcement, quoting the president’ saying, “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s so good we’ve got to figure something else out.’”
“The Constitution is clear that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and any attempt for Donald Trump to circumvent the 22nd Amendment is blatantly unconstitutional. I call on all of my colleagues – Democrat and Republican alike – to stand by the oath we all took to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and confirm the Congress’ commitment to this principle,” Goldman said in the statement.
