The US president stated that exceeding the constitutional term limit in 2028 would be “a hard thing to do.”
Despite previous hints, President Trump has now stated he will not seek a third term, calling such an attempt complicated.
In an interview published Monday with The Atlantic, coinciding with his first 100 days since his return to office, Trump addressed rumors he’d instructed the Justice Department to explore the legality of a 2028 run, when he would be 82.
He denied giving such instructions but left the possibility open, suggesting he might hesitate to disrupt democratic norms.
“That would be a big shattering, wouldn’t it?” He commented. “Well, maybe I’m just trying to shatter.”
Trump noted that while supporters often encouraged a third-term bid, he ultimately rejected the notion, claiming he never planned to stay in office beyond a second term.
“It’s not something that I’m looking to do. And I think it would be a very hard thing to do.”
However, capitalizing on the idea seems plausible. Earlier this month, Trump launched “TRUMP 2028” merchandise, fueling third-term speculation.
The campaign store offers baseball caps and T-shirts with “TRUMP 2028” and “Rewrite the Rules,” styled after his “Make America Great Again” branding.
Last month, Trump claimed he was “not joking” about potentially seeking a third term, suggesting “methods” to circumvent the Constitution’s two-term limit. These comments sparked concerns about potential electoral system overhauls to maintain power, though prominent Republicans dismissed it as a joke.
Earlier this year, Republican Congressman Andy Ogles introduced a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve three non-consecutive terms, but it has gained little support.
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