During a phone call with NBC News on Sunday, Trump stated, “I’m not joking” when discussing the idea of pursuing a third term, even though the Constitution prohibits this under the 22nd Amendment.
“A lot of people want me to do it,” he mentioned, referring to his supporters. “But, I tell them that we have a long way to go; it’s very early in the administration.”
“I’m focused on the present,” Trump added, in one of his most detailed comments regarding the prospect of a third term to date.
When asked if he desired another term, he replied, “I like working.” When pressed for clarification about his intentions, Trump reiterated, “I’m not joking. But I acknowledge it is far too early to think about it.”
When queried about whether he had received any proposed plans that would enable him to seek a third term, Trump responded, “There are methods through which you could do it.” NBC News inquired about a potential scenario in which Vice President JD Vance could run for office and then transfer the role to Trump, to which he acknowledged that “that’s one” method.
“But there are others, too,” he added before declining to share additional details.
Amending the Constitution to lift the two-term limit would be an extremely challenging task, requiring either a two-thirds majority vote in Congress or a two-thirds agreement from the states to call a constitutional convention for proposed changes. Any amendment would then need ratification from three-quarters of the states.
Trump cited his poll numbers, asserting that “a lot of people would like me to” serve another term in office. While he has made previous comments about the possibility of running for a third term, Republicans have often interpreted these remarks as jokes or as Trump teasing his critics.
