U. S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will not run for vice president in the 2028 election but left open the possibility of seeking a third presidential term. Trump has joked about serving beyond the two-term limit, even offering “Trump 2028” hats to supporters, prompting some allies to explore legal or political ways to make this happen, although most constitutional experts dismiss these ideas. The 22nd Amendment prevents anyone from being elected president for a third time. Some supporters have suggested a workaround where Trump could run as vice president and take over if the president resigns, but Trump stated he wouldn’t pursue that because it seems wrong and too clever.
Legal scholars say Trump is actually not eligible to run for vice president due to his status concerning the presidency. He expressed a desire for a third term, claiming he has great support, but when asked whether he ruled it out entirely, he vaguely suggested he might not. He also noted he had not considered fighting in court over the issue.
Trump praised Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as excellent candidates for the 2028 election, hinting at their potential for a combined campaign. His comments have created uncertainty within the Republican Party as potential successors vie for attention while some of Trump’s allies support the idea of his remaining in office. Steve Bannon, a former Trump strategist, claimed there is a plan to navigate the restrictions of the 22nd Amendment, asserting that Trump would be president again in 2028.
With information from Reuters
