President Donald Trump has revealed his thoughts about potentially running for a third term in 2028, saying such a bid would be a “big shattering” of political norms despite constitutional barriers.
In a new interview with The Atlantic, Trump discussed his power both domestically and internationally while addressing speculation about extending his presidency beyond the traditional two-term limit.
“The first time, I had two things to do — run the country and survive,” Trump told the magazine. “And the second time, I run the country and the world.”
When pressed about a potential third term, Trump acknowledged it would represent a significant break from precedent. He said it would be “a big shattering” if he pursued another presidential run in 2028, adding, “Well, maybe I’m just trying to shatter.”
Despite his musings about a third term, Trump admitted in the interview that “it’s not something that I’m looking to do” and acknowledged “it would be a very hard thing to do.”
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution explicitly prohibits presidents from being elected more than twice. The amendment was ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four consecutive terms in office.
Nevertheless, Trump has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of seeking a third term. In March, he told NBC News that “a lot of people want me to do it,” while acknowledging “we have a long way to go” in his current administration.
Trump has also suggested there might be legal avenues to circumvent the constitutional limitation. Last month, he stated, “There are methods which you could do it,” when asked about the possibility of running again.
One scenario raised by reporters was the possibility of Vice President JD Vance running for president in 2028 and then somehow transferring power back to Trump after being elected. Trump responded cryptically, saying, “Well, that’s one.”
Constitutional scholars and legal experts maintain that such proposals face insurmountable obstacles. Amending the Constitution would require approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of state legislatures, a bar considered virtually impossible to reach in today’s polarized political environment.
Despite these legal barriers, the Trump Organization recently released merchandise suggesting a 2028 campaign. The company’s online store now features a red “Trump 2028” hat modeled by Eric Trump, the president’s second-oldest son.
Kimberly Benza, a spokesperson for the Trump Organization, told the New York Post that the new merchandise was put online because “it’s amazing.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has previously addressed reporters’ questions about Trump’s third-term comments. She stated that journalists continue to ask the president about a third term, and he “answers honestly and candidly with a smile and then everybody here melts down about his answer.”
The speculation about Trump’s political future comes as he wields significant influence both domestically and internationally during his second term. In his Atlantic interview, Trump claimed that billionaires and tech leaders now show him greater respect than during his first term.
“Maybe they didn’t know me at the beginning, and they know me now,” he said, referring to tech magnates like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, who attended his inauguration in January.
Trump’s second term has been marked by an aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. When asked about his deportation efforts and the possibility that a legal resident or U.S. citizen could be mistakenly removed from the country, Trump responded that “nothing will ever be perfect in this world.”
The president has also proposed controversial measures regarding U.S. citizens. He recently directed the Attorney General to explore the legal feasibility of detaining American citizens accused of crimes in foreign prisons, particularly in El Salvador. Legal scholars have characterized this proposal as unconstitutional and a violation of civil liberties.
Trump’s second term has also seen significant shifts in foreign policy. His “America First” approach has led to withdrawals from international agreements and the imposition of tariffs on both allies and adversaries. Experts note that his unilateral approach represents a departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy, with some suggesting it could accelerate the decline of American global influence.
While Trump continues to hint at extending his presidency beyond constitutional limits, the reality remains that any attempt to secure a third term would face formidable legal challenges and widespread opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans concerned about preserving constitutional norms.
