President Donald Trump said Monday he would “love” to run against former President Barack Obama when asked about a hypothetical matchup, adding a new dimension to his recent comments about potentially seeking a third term despite constitutional prohibitions.
“I’d love that, boy, I’d love that,” Trump said when asked about facing Obama in a theoretical contest. The president quickly pivoted, however, addressing whether he might try to remain in office beyond 2028. “I never looked into it. They do say there’s a way you can do it, but I don’t know about that.”
The remarks came as Trump signed an executive order targeting ticket resellers for greater scrutiny over their business practices and prices charged to consumers. Musician Kid Rock, a vocal Trump ally, stood nearby during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office.
Trump’s latest comments represent the second time in as many days that the president has entertained the idea of circumventing the 22nd Amendment, which explicitly prohibits presidents from being elected more than twice. On Sunday, Trump told NBC News that “there are methods” for sidestepping the constitutional term limit, insisting he wasn’t joking when discussing the possibility.
“A lot of people want me to do it,” Trump told NBC. He later adopted a more measured tone when speaking to reporters on Air Force One, saying, “I don’t want to talk about a third term right now… No matter how you look at it, we got a long time to go.”
While meeting with reporters Monday, Trump struck a more noncommittal stance, acknowledging he is unsure whether running for a third term would be possible, even as he claimed that “people are asking me to run.”
The notion of a Trump-Obama contest is purely hypothetical, as both men would need to overcome considerable legal obstacles. The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment clearly states that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,” making no exceptions for presidents like Trump who served non-consecutive terms.
Legal experts widely agree that any attempt to circumvent the amendment would face significant challenges. Amending the Constitution would require either a two-thirds vote of Congress or support from two-thirds of state legislatures to propose changes, followed by ratification from three-quarters of states.
Nevertheless, some Trump allies have floated the idea. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, has publicly stated that Trump could run and win again in 2028, while Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tennessee) introduced a resolution earlier this year calling for an extension of presidential term limits that would specifically enable Trump to seek another term.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune downplayed Trump’s comments, telling reporters Monday that the president is “probably having some fun with it and probably messing with you.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt similarly dismissed the speculation, calling a third term “not really something we’re thinking about.”
