US President Donald Trump has once again raised the prospect of seeking a third term, stating in an interview that he is “not joking” about the possibility.
Speaking to NBC News in a phone interview on Sunday, Trump claimed “there are methods by which you could do it” but also acknowledged that it is “far too early to think about it”. His comments have once again reignited discussions over presidential term limits, which have been set by the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution since 1951.
However, when asked whether a potential loophole could involve his Vice President, JD Vance, running for office and then stepping aside, Trump responded cryptically, “Well, that’s one. But there are others too.” He refused to elaborate on it.
Trump also claimed he has the highest poll numbers of any Republican in the last century and that American voters would support him contesting a third term. Notably, the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll showed a 45% approval rating for Trump’s job performance.
This is not the first time Trump has flirted with the idea. In January, he playfully asked, “Am I allowed to run again?” during a House Republican retreat.
Has any US president served more than 2 terms?
Franklin D Roosevelt was the only US president to serve more than two terms, winning a third in 1940 and a fourth in 1944. His extended tenure was driven by the ongoing Great Depression and the outbreak of World War II. While multiple presidents had previously sought third terms, Roosevelt’s argument for stability in times of crisis proved compelling.