PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump dismissed the idea of serving a third term and suggested Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, NBC interviewer Kristen Welker.
📍 Where & When: The Interview aired on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.
💬 Key Quote: “It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.” — President Trump.
⚠️ Impact: Fuels speculation about future Republican leadership and potential candidates for the presidency after Trump’s second term.
IN FULL:
In a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, President Donald J. Trump downplayed the idea of pursuing a third presidential term, despite previously appearing open to the idea. “It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do,” he said. He noted that “many people” are selling ‘Trump 2028’ merchandise, but “this is not something I’m looking to do.”
“I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican,” he added, highlighting Vice President J.D. Vance as a “fantastic, brilliant guy,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “great.”
Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of a third term, noting in March that he was “not joking” about it. Trump’s supporters—and detractors—have argued that the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to running for two terms, could, on some readings, still allow for someone to serve a third term by running for the vice presidency, with the person at the top of the ticket stepping aside for them following their inauguration.
Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN) has also proposed a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to stand for a third term provided their second was non-consecutive, like Trump’s.
Leading conservative voices such as Stephen K. Bannon, the host of WarRoom and former White House Chief Strategist, have called for a third term in 2028, unnerving the left.