‘US Constitution is pretty clear’: Trump speaks on third term bid

United States President Donald Trump has spoken about his plans to seek a third term in office.

Trump acknowledged that the United States Constitution bars him from running again after his current term ends in January 2029.

“If you read it, it’s pretty clear — I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, en route to South Korea.

The president’s statement signals a shift from earlier comments in which he declined to definitively rule out another bid.

Advertisement

The president has repeatedly flirted with the idea of serving beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms, joking about it at rallies and teasing supporters with “Trump 2028” hats.

Some allies have taken those signals seriously, suggesting that they are exploring legal or political pathways to make it happen — a possibility dismissed by most constitutional scholars.

The 22nd Amendment of the United States Constitution bars anyone from being elected to the U.S. presidency a third time.

“No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States,” the Constitution read.

Some supporters have suggested that one way around the prohibition would be for Trump to run as vice president, while another candidate stood for election as president and resigned, letting Trump again assume the presidency.

Scholars added that Trump is barred from running for vice president because he is not eligible to be president, according to Reuters.

Some supporters have suggested that one way around the prohibition would be for Trump to run as vice president, while another candidate stood for election as president and resigned, letting Trump again assume the presidency.

Scholars added that Trump is barred from running for vice president because he is not eligible to be president, according to Reuters.