Imagine a world where a U.S. president could serve not just two terms, but three—or even more. It sounds like something out of a political thriller, but it’s a question buzzing around today: Can Donald Trump, who’s back in the White House as of 2025, find a way to extend his presidency beyond the two-term limit set by the U.S. Constitution? Trump himself has fueled the debate, telling NBC News in a recent interview, “I’m not joking” about wanting a third term, hinting at “methods” to make it happen. So, what’s the deal? Let’s break it down.
Trump’s Tease: A Third Term in Sight?
Donald Trump, now 78 and starting his second term after winning the 2024 election, isn’t shy about floating big ideas. In a phone call with NBC on March 30, 2025, he said, “A lot of people want me to do it,” and when asked if he was serious, he doubled down: “I’m not joking.” He’s even mused about “methods” to pull it off, though he kept the details vague, saying only, “There are others, too,” when pressed about possibilities. This isn’t the first time he’s toyed with the idea—back in January, he told supporters it’d be “the greatest honour” to serve multiple terms, though he later called it a jab at the media. Still, with Trump set to be 82 by the end of this term in 2029, his comments have sparked a firestorm of speculation.
The Constitution’s Roadblock: The 22nd Amendment
Here’s the catch: the U.S. Constitution seems to slam the door shut on a third term. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, states clearly: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” This rule came after Franklin D. Roosevelt broke tradition by winning four terms during the Great Depression and World War II. Before FDR, presidents like George Washington stuck to a two-term custom, but Roosevelt’s long run pushed lawmakers to make it official. Changing this amendment isn’t easy—it’d need two-thirds of both the Senate and House, plus approval from 38 out of 50 states. Trump’s Republicans control Congress now, but they don’t have the supermajorities required, and Democrats, who hold 18 state legislatures, aren’t likely to play ball.
The Loophole Theory: A Sneaky Way Around?
Some Trump supporters aren’t deterred—they’ve cooked up a workaround that’s never been tested in court. The 22nd Amendment bans being elected more than twice, but it doesn’t mention serving extra terms through succession. Here’s the wild idea: What if Trump ran as vice president in 2028 alongside someone like his current VP, JD Vance? If they won, Vance could take office and then resign, letting Trump step up as president again. Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor, has hinted at this, saying there are “a couple of alternatives” for Trump to “run and win again.” Trump himself nodded to this scenario, telling NBC, “That’s one” method. Another twist? A Republican lawmaker, Andy Ogles from Tennessee, proposed an amendment in January 2025 to allow three non-consecutive terms—perfectly tailored for Trump, who served in 2017-2021, lost in 2020, and won again in 2024.
Pushback: Democrats and Even Some Republicans Say No
Not everyone’s on board. Democrats see this as a power grab. New York Representative Daniel Goldman called it “another escalation in [Trump’s] clear effort to dismantle our democracy,” urging Republicans to stand against it. Even some in Trump’s own party, like Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, aren’t sold. “I’m not changing the constitution,” Mullin told NBC in February, unless the public demands it. Legal experts pile on, too. Derek Muller from Notre Dame argues the 12th Amendment blocks this trick, saying anyone ineligible for president—like a two-term veteran—can’t be VP either. Jeremy Paul from Northeastern University agrees, telling CBS there’s “no credible legal argument” for a third term.
History’s Lesson: FDR’s Four Terms
The only president to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt, elected four times from 1932 to 1944. Back then, the two-term limit was just tradition, not law. FDR’s era of crisis—think economic collapse and global war—kept him in power until his death in 1945. That’s what led to the 22nd Amendment. Could Trump argue today’s challenges justify bending the rules? His fans might say yes, but the law says no.
What Could Happen Next?
So, could Trump pull this off? Experts like William Baude from the University of Chicago say the Constitution’s wording is airtight—no “one weird trick” can dodge it. But others, like Stephen Gillers from NYU, suggest Trump might try anyway, maybe striking a deal with Vance to flip roles in 2028. If it ever got that far, the Supreme Court would likely decide, and with its conservative lean, predictions are tricky. Some warn this could spark chaos—protests, lawsuits, or worse—if the checks and balances of Congress and courts falter.
For now, Trump’s keeping it vague, saying it’s “far too early to think about.” But with three years until 2028, his hints keep the idea alive. Could he rewrite history, or is this just another bold Trump headline? One thing’s clear: the debate’s only getting started.
