Trump Sets the Record Straight on Possible Third Term Rumors
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
President Donald Trump laughed off the idea that he was flirting with a third term in the White House — as his team hawks “Trump 2028” merchandise.
In a new phone interview with The Atlantic’s Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer, Trump was asked about a rumor that he had instructed the Justice Department to look into whether he could legally run for a third term.
Trump denied the claim, but couldn’t resist dangling the possibility.
“That would be a big shattering, wouldn’t it?” Trump mused, laughing. “Well, maybe I’m just trying to shatter.”
Trump acknowledged that his supporters routinely call for him to seek a third term but, ultimately, insisted he was not planning on it: “It’s not something that I’m looking to do. And I think it would be a very hard thing to do.”
Even as Trump publicly distances himself from a 2028 bid, The Atlantic flagged how the Trump Organization has already rolled out “Trump 2028” hats, priced at $50 each.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the hats were “flying off shelves” since going on sale Thursday, but told Axios co-founder Mike Allen on Friday it was “not something [Trump is] thinking of.”
Trump first stirred third-term speculation in January, telling supporters it would be “the greatest honor” to serve “twice or three times or four times” — before claiming it was a joke aimed at the “fake news media.”
The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, however, firmly bars a third term with any serious effort to amend the Constitution – however far-fetched – would require a two-thirds majority approval in Congress and backing from three-quarters of state governments. The Republicans, while in majority in both chambers, wouldn’t have the power alone to achieve that.
