President Donald Trump admits the Constitution bars him from a third term but hints at testing the limits, boasting of record approval and claiming to have “solved eight wars.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea for the APEC Summit, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday conceded that U.S. law prohibits him from seeking a third term, lamenting, “It’s too bad.”
The remark came just a day after Trump sparked speculation by first ruling out a run for vice president in 2028, then hinting at a possible third presidential term, citing what he called “historic poll numbers” and a record of global conflict resolution.
“If you read it, it’s pretty clear — I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad,” Trump said. “I have my highest poll numbers ever. I guess I’m not allowed to run, so we’ll see what happens.”
When asked on Tuesday whether he’d consider a vice-presidential role, Trump said he technically could, but dismissed the idea as “too cute.”
“I wouldn’t do that. The people wouldn’t like that,” he said, before pivoting to boast about his achievements, adding, “We’ve solved eight wars. The world’s more stable than it’s been in decades.”
Trump’s comments have reignited debate over presidential term limits, which were introduced after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms before his death in 1945. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, restricts presidents to two elected terms in office.
The amendment states clearly:
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
Legal experts say any challenge to that rule would almost certainly fail in the U.S. Supreme Court, as the constitutional limit has stood unchallenged for more than seven decades.
Still, Trump’s remarks keep the speculation alive — consistent with his political style of testing boundaries while rallying supporters around his perceived fight against the establishment.
Analysts note that Trump’s comments were less about a legal maneuver and more about projecting dominance as he heads into the latter half of his second term, boasting strong approval ratings and renewed diplomatic influence.
“Trump’s message was clear — he sees himself as indispensable,” said one Washington insider. “Even the Constitution won’t stop him from shaping the political narrative.”
