Donald Trump Plays Down 2028 Presidential Run, Talks Successors
May 5, 2025
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President Donald Trump has played down reports he will seek a third White House term in 2028, saying “this is not something I’m looking to do.”
The president instead discussed potential successors, in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press.
Why It Matters
Any bid for a third term as president by Trump would be extremely contentious, and could only take place if the current two-term limit enshrined in the constitution is removed.
A recent survey of American adults by the Public Religion Research Institute found 52 percent view Trump as a “dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy,” while 44 percent think he is a “strong leader who should be given the power he needs to restore America’s greatness.”
What To Know
During his interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, recorded in Florida on Friday, Trump said: “I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important.”
Trump declined to say who he thinks should replace him, though he described Vice President JD Vance as a “fantastic, brilliant guy” and called Secretary of State Marco Rubio “great.”
The president added: “Certainly you would say that somebody’s the V.P., if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage.”
Trump was asked about why his official store started selling “Trump 2028” hats and other merchandise in April.
He replied: “There are many people selling the 2028 hat, but this is not something I’m looking to do.
“I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican.”
President Donald Trump takes questions from the press on the South Lawn, upon returning to the White House in Washington, D.C, on May 4, 2025. President Donald Trump takes questions from the press on the South Lawn, upon returning to the White House in Washington, D.C, on May 4, 2025. ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP/GETTY
In March, Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker that he was “not joking” about seeking a third term adding there were “methods which you could do it.”
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution says: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.”
The betting platform Polymarket is currently offering odds of eight percent on Trump announcing he’s running for a third term.
What People Are Saying
Discussing a possible third term in his latest NBC interview Trump said: “So many people want me to do it.”
“It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do. I don’t know if that’s constitutional that they’re not allowing you to do it or anything else.”
In April, former Trump aide Steve Bannon said: “We have many different alternatives to make sure President Donald Trump on the afternoon of January 2029 is the President of the United States, many different alternatives. And we will roll those out over time.”
What Happens Next
Any bid to amend the U.S. constitution would be extremely difficult, requiring approval from two-thirds of the House and Senate and requiring ratification by at least 38 of the 50 states.
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