Will Weissert, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has frequently suggested he wants to seek a third term, posting about launching another campaign, wearing 2028 caps, and discussing methods to make it happen, despite acknowledging the Constitution prohibits it.
Recently, Trump has shown signs that he may not fully believe another run will occur. In recent speeches, he has begun to describe life after the White House when his term ends in January 2029, predicting he will be at home as his successor claims credit for his accomplishments.
"Your next president is going to say, 'What a great job I did,'" Trump stated at an event on Long Island, New York, this month. "He'll be sitting around, watching television. A real stiff. Unless you vote Republican, of course."
A sitting president discussing becoming a former one is politically significant. With midterm elections approaching, Trump is nearing a point in his presidency where reminders of his diminishing power will increase.
Acknowledging the possibility of life outside the presidency marks a notable shift for Trump. From the beginning of his first term, he has left the door open to serving more than eight years.
"He is all over the place," said Brian Kalt, a Michigan State University constitutional law professor. "And what that does is, it allows him to point to his own words to support any number of mutually exclusive things."
Kalt added that Trump could claim he made it clear he wouldn't run or, if he decides to run, assert he never said he wouldn't.
The White House dismissed suggestions that Trump's thoughts are increasingly turning to the end of his presidency and the legacy he will leave. Spokesperson Olivia Wales stated he "is fighting every day" to deliver on promises to reduce violent crime, address the U.S.-Mexico border, and lower prescription drug prices.
"The only legacy President Trump is concerned with is making America greater than ever before," Wales said.
However, Trump has been increasingly discussing how he will be remembered. At a recent rally in Pennsylvania, he remarked, "Whoever the next president is, he's going to be talking about what a brilliant president he is. And I'll be home. And I'll be saying, 'That son of a gun,' because we did the job."
In Georgia, Trump predicted that after his presidency, "I'll be sitting home," and expressed concern that Democrats could retake the Senate, making it easier to pass key legislation.
In Michigan, Trump cast doubt on whether he was ready to leave the Oval Office, stating, "In two and a half years, you may have a different president — may," emphasizing the "may."
He continued, "I'll be sitting home. I'll be reading the papers. I'll be watching television," and criticized President Joe Biden, saying, "And I'll be having some guy — like last time, a real idiot — stand up and say, 'We are doing record business.'"
Despite hinting at leaving the presidency, Trump has also teased a 2028 reelection run. At the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner last month, he joked, "Just like my presidency, the second time is always better" and that "the third time will be better yet. I'm only kidding." He later wore a 2028 campaign cap during his speech.
The Constitution's 22nd Amendment prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice. Ratified in 1951, it was established after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's four terms. Until Roosevelt, no other president had defied the tradition of stepping down after two terms initiated by George Washington.
However, Trump indicated to NBC News that there are methods to seek a third term, including running as a vice presidential candidate with Vice President JD Vance in 2028, who could step aside if they win.
Trump has often used social media to promote "Trump 2028" logos featuring his slogan "Make America Great Again."
At times, Trump has seemed definitive about the ban on him making another run, recently telling reporters, "I'd love to run, but the law is very strong."
Kalt wrote about the possibility of a two-term president returning to office by running for vice president in "Constitutional Cliffhangers: A Legal Guide for Presidents and Their Enemies."
"People do tend to find, in Trump's words, whatever it is that they want to hear," Kalt said.
Second-term presidents typically see their influence wane during their last two years, especially if their party faces significant midterm defeats. Trump's comments could indicate he is considering his legacy, a stage many of his predecessors have reached.
Paul Begala, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, noted, "They all, particularly as they cross the midpoint of their second term, start thinking about legacy."
He added that Clinton and Bush avoided using the term "legacy" but still thought about it, as did their staff and Cabinet members.
In his last two years, Clinton focused on brokering a Middle East peace agreement, while Bush promoted a "sprint to the finish" during his final year in 2008. Biden adopted a "run through the tape" ethos after abandoning his reelection bid.
Trump has worked on shaping the White House and Greater Washington in his image, reminiscent of his real estate development days in New York. He has ordered a towering arch near the Lincoln Memorial, restored city fountains, constructed a Rose Garden patio area and helipad on the White House lawn, and added gilded touches to the building's interior and exterior.
Additionally, there is a massive ballroom project that Trump says will only be completed late in 2028, shortly before he leaves office. "It's not for me, 'cause I'm going to be here a very short period of time" when the work is finished, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "I'll be there for four, five, six months. This is for future presidents."