US politics: Donald Trump says he's considering ways to serve a third term as president of the United States

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump said Sunday that “I’m not joking” about trying to serve a third term, the clearest indication he is considering ways to breach a constitutional barrier against continuing to lead the country after his second term ends in early 2029.

“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump said in a telephone interview with NBC News.

He also said “it is far too early to think about it.”

The 22nd Amendment, added to the Constitution in 1951 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times in a row, says “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

NBC’s Kristen Welker asked Trump if one potential avenue to a third term was having Vice President JD Vance run for the top job and “then pass the baton to you.”

“Well, that’s one,” Trump responded. “But there are others too. There are others.”

“Can you tell me another?” Welker asked in the early morning interview, before Trump left his Mar-a-Lago resort to spend the day at his nearby golf course.

“No,” Trump replied.

Vance’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for Alina Habba as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House, March 28, 2025.

President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for Alina Habba as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House, March 28, 2025.

Pool via AP

Derek Muller, a professor of election law at Notre Dame, noted that the 12th Amendment, which was ratified in 1804, says “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.”

Muller said that indicates that if Trump is not eligible to run for president again because of the 22nd Amendment, he is not eligible to run for vice president, either.

“I don’t think there’s any ‘one weird trick’ to getting around presidential term limits,” Muller said.

In addition, pursuing a third term would require extraordinary acquiescence by federal and state officials, not to mention the courts and voters themselves.

He suggested that Trump is talking about a third term for political reasons to “show as much strength as possible.”

“A lame-duck president like Donald Trump has every incentive in the world to make it seem like he’s not a lame duck,” he said.

Trump, who would be 82 at the end of his second term, was asked whether he would want to keep serving in “the toughest job in the country” at that point.

“Well, I like working,” the president said.

He suggested that Americans would go along with a third term because of his popularity. He falsely claimed to have “the highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years.”

Gallup data shows President George W. Bush reaching a 90% approval rating after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. His father, President George H.W. Bush, hit 89% following the Gulf War in 1991.

Trump has maxed out at 47% in Gallup data during his second term, despite claiming to be “in the high 70s in many polls, in the real polls.”

Trump has mused before about serving longer than two terms before, generally with jokes to friendly audiences.

“Am I allowed to run again?” he said during a House Republican retreat in January.

Representatives for the congressional leadership – House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York – did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the AP.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Former New Orleans police chief criticizes sheriff's 'checkered past' after jailbreak

District Attorney of New Orleans criticizes sheriff for mishandling prison escape investigation

The Orleans Parish district attorney criticized the sheriff of the county for…
'Squatter Bill' passes in Illinois House, heads to Governor JB Pritzker; Senate Bill 1563 to allow faster removal of squatters

Illinois House Approves ‘Squatter Bill’ Moving on to Governor JB Pritzker; Senate Bill 1563 Aims to Expedite Eviction of Squatters

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — The Squatter Bill, also known as Senate Bill…
Gunman kills Israeli embassy couple in Washington, following decades of embassy-targeted attacks

Attacker shoots and kills Israeli embassy couple in Washington after years of embassy-focused violence

An attack occurred on Wednesday at the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.,…
US Treasury Department to phase out penny after President Donald Trump says coin no longer makes 'cents'

“The US Treasury Department to Phase Out the Penny Following President Donald Trump’s Decision that the Coin No Longer Makes ‘Cents'”

The U.S. Treasury Department has announced plans to discontinue the production of…
'General Hospital' star Finola Hughes celebrates 40 years since debut ahead of Nurses Ball

Finola Hughes from ‘General Hospital’ marks 40 years since her debut, just before the Nurses Ball event

NEW YORK CITY — Celebrating 40 years since first appearing on “General…
Pope Leo family history: Cook Country archives show Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV's grandfather immigrated from Italy to US

Family History of Pope Leo: Chicago Archives Reveal Immigration of Pope Leo XIV’s Grandfather from Italy to the US

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Cook County Clerk’s office has some 80,000 boxes…
Restoration runaround complaints: 2 lawsuits accuse Matt Workman's Cleaning and Restoration of leaving homes with unfinished work

Lawsuits claim Matt Workman’s Cleaning and Restoration leaving houses in incomplete condition

CHICAGO (WLS) — If you’re a victim of a flood or a…
Jenna Bush Hager Urges Savannah Guthrie To Say “Sex” On ‘Today’: “She’s A Little Repressed”

Encouraging Savannah Guthrie to Be More Open: Jenna Bush Hager Calls for Her to Use the Word “Sex” on ‘Today’

A discussion on the influence of Judy Blume took an unexpected turn…
DC museum shooter Elias Rodriguez told he could face death penalty as he appears in court

Elias Rodriguez Faces Death Penalty in Court Appearance for DC Museum Shooting

A pro-Palestinian activist accused of shooting dead a young Israeli diplomat couple…
Idaho murder suspect's lawyers demand trial postponement over 'prejudicial' TV special

Lawyers of murder suspect in Idaho request trial delay due to biased TV show

Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, who has been accused of killing four University…
Millions of Americans told to stock up on emergency supplies NOW as killer hurricanes set to start in DAYS

Urgent Alert: Millions of Americans Urged to Prepare Emergency Supplies as Deadly Hurricanes Approaching Soon

The latest forecast for the 2025 hurricane season has just been revealed,…
Aunt urges convicted murderer to surrender as Orleans Parish jail manhunt continues

Convicted murderer asked by aunt to surrender as search for escapee at Orleans Parish jail goes on

The aunt of Derrick Groves, one of the five remaining Orleans Parish…