President Donald Trump has hinted he may attempt to secure a third term in office—despite the U.S. Constitution explicitly forbidding it—saying in a weekend interview that “there are methods” to bypass the current two-term limit.
“I’m not joking,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview on Sunday, as reported by HotNews. “There are methods by which you could do it.”
While he added that it’s “far too early to think about that,” Trump’s comments mark his most direct suggestion yet that he may seek to remain in power beyond January 2029, when his constitutionally allowed second term would end.
The Vance handoff theory
Asked if one such “method” might involve Vice President JD Vance running for president and then stepping aside, Trump replied: “Well, that’s one. But there are others.” He declined to elaborate further on those alternatives.
The idea that Vance, a close Trump ally, could serve as a placeholder has been floated by commentators, though it would likely face intense legal and political scrutiny.
Trump, who would be 82 at the end of a second term, dismissed concerns about age or stamina. “Well, I like to work,” he said when asked if he’d still want “the hardest job in the country” at that point.
A challenge to constitutional order
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1951, states that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” The rule was adopted after Franklin D. Roosevelt won four terms in office.
While Trump has previously joked about staying in office beyond two terms, his recent tone has grown more serious. He also claimed—falsely—that he has the highest approval ratings of any Republican in the past century.
In reality, Gallup data shows his peak approval was 47%, significantly lower than the 90% attained by President George W. Bush after 9/11.
Trump’s remarks are expected to intensify debate about democratic norms and executive overreach as the 2028 election draws closer.
