Key points
- Trump highlights JD Vance, Marco Rubio as rising stars in the Republican Party
- I’ll be an eight-year president: Trump
- No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice: 22nd Amendment
ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump offered his clearest indication yet that he will leave the White House at the end of his second term without trying to extend his stay, acknowledging the constraints preventing him from seeking a third term in an exclusive interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
According to NBC News, Trump also highlighted several other rising stars in the Republican Party he said are capable of carrying the MAGA mantle after he’s finished as the GOP’s elected leader, mentioning not only Vice President JD Vance but also Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has become a central player in his second administration.
“I’ll be an eight-year president; I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important,” Trump told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday.
“Not allowed to do”
Trump told Welker in March that he was “not joking” about his consideration of a third run, and he said again in his latest interview that he’s received strong requests from allies to run again. Despite those entreaties, Trump told Welker, he’s aware of the realities standing in the way.
“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,” Trump said.
The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment says, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
Amending the Constitution to abolish that limit would be extremely difficult, requiring the support of either two-thirds of both the House and Senate or two-thirds of state legislatures.
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” – US Constitution’s 22nd Amendment
Both routes would then require ratification from three-quarters of the states.
“There are methods”
Back in March 2025, NPR reported, Trump telling reporters: “I’m not looking at that, but I’ll tell you I’ve had more people ask me to have a third term.” “I don’t want to talk about a third term now because no matter how you look at it, we have a long time to go. We have almost four years to go. And that’s a long time,” Trump added. He had told NBC News that “there are methods” that would allow him to serve a third term in office.
Joint resolution
According to NBC News, Rep Andy Ogles, R-Tenn, introduced a House joint resolution in January seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the president to be elected for up to three terms, a legislative effort that so far has seen little movement.
Democratic Rep Dan Goldman of New York, who served as lead counsel during Trump’s first impeachment, introduced a resolution in response urging his colleagues to reaffirm the 22nd Amendment’s prohibition on a third term.
Trump told Welker he has had no official meetings specifically about establishing a pathway for a third term, but he’s heard “different concepts” about potential options — including a legally dubious strategy in which Vance would seek the presidency and then pass the role on to Trump.
“Other people say, ‘You can have a write-in vote,'” Trump added, despite the constitutional limitation.
“Rewrite the rules”
Talk of a potential third Trump term reached a fever pitch last month after the Trump Organization, led in part by the president’s two adult sons, began selling Trump 2028-branded red hats. The hats were listed for $50 with the description: “The future looks bright! Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat.”
Despite that description — and its pointed reference to “rewrite the rules” — Trump said his aim is to ultimately pass the torch ahead of the next presidential election.
“There are many people selling the 2028 hat,” Trump said. “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, a great Republican to carry it forward.”
Among the GOP stars Trump said can take charge of the MAGA brand — which he described as the greatest political movement in history — is Vance, who Trump suggested would likely have an advantage over other competitors in a Republican primary for the top job.
“At the top of the list”
Welker asked if Vance would be “at the top of the list” as his successor, and Trump praised his vice president without making any commitments.
“It could very well be,” Trump said, before adding, “I don’t want to get involved in that. I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great.”
He also emphasised that such discussions are “far too early.”
“But certainly, you would say that somebody’s the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage,” Trump said, according to NBC News.
