In a bold assertion, Donald Trump has once again hinted at the possibility of pursuing a third term as President of the United States, a move that would challenge the two-term limit established by the U.S. Constitution.
During an interview with NBC News, Trump maintained, “I’m not joking,” when pressed for clarification regarding his ambition for another presidential term. He further stated, “There are methods that you could do it,” suggesting that he has considered unconventional routes to reach his goal.
At 78, Trump has a long-standing history of alluding to the idea of serving more than two terms. However, his comments on Sunday—coupled with his statements to reporters aboard Air Force One—marked the most explicit reference to actionable plans he might have.
Trump has launched his second presidential bid with an unprecedented display of executive authority. Remarkably, he has enlisted the support of Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, to implement significant changes across various government sectors, indicating a desire from his supporters for even greater transformations.
In response to a reporter’s inquiry about his plans concerning the Inauguration Day on January 20, 2029, Trump appeared to dance around the question. He replied, “I’m not looking at that, but I’ll tell you, I have had more people ask me to have a third term.” This demonstrates the ongoing interest among his base for his return to the presidency.
Earlier in the day, Trump conveyed to NBC that he has received proposals outlining ways in which he could seek reelection. When asked about a hypothetical scenario in which Vice President JD Vance might run for president and subsequently resign the role to Trump, the former president replied, “That’s one” method, adding that “there are others,” but declined to offer further specifics.
As for the legalities of amending the U.S. Constitution to permit a third presidential term, such a change would necessitate a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate—something Trump’s Republican Party currently does not hold. Alternatively, a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the states could propose changes, though this route seems equally implausible given the current Republican presence in state governments and Congress.
Should any amendments make it past Congress or a constitutional convention, they would still require ratification by three-quarters of all state legislatures. It’s important to note that the historical precedent for calling a constitutional convention has never been successfully established; all 27 amendments to the Constitution have been passed through the Congressional method.
Interestingly, shortly after Trump’s inauguration, Republican Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced a House joint resolution aimed at amending the Constitution to allow presidents to serve up to three terms. However, the viability of such efforts remains highly questionable.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: Trump’s audacious ambitions and the support he garners are factors that will undoubtedly shape the American political discourse for years to come.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
