Former President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed speculation that he intends to seek a third term in office, stating in a recent interview that he will respect the U.S. Constitution’s two-term limit. During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, Trump, 78, reiterated his commitment to serving only two terms, despite growing chatter and merchandise promoting a potential “Trump 2028” campaign.
“I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important,” Trump said in the interview recorded at his Florida home. His comments come as “Trump 2028” hats sold by The Trump Organization have sparked debate about his future political ambitions and the legality of a third term. Trump emphasized he is not exploring that path, although he acknowledged that some of his supporters have pushed for it. “So many people want me to do it… but to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do it,” he added.
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly prohibits any individual from being elected president more than twice. Changing this would require two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of state legislatures. Some legal theorists and supporters have suggested hypothetical loopholes, but these interpretations have never been tested in court. Trump refrained from supporting any such theories, saying only that “many people have said different things.”
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Trump also discussed the future of the Republican Party, naming Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors after his presidency ends in January 2029.
On the economy, Trump defended his administration’s trade and tariff policies despite the U.S. experiencing its first economic contraction since 2022. Labeling it a “transition period,” Trump maintained confidence in the economic outlook, stating, “I think we’re going to do fantastically.” He also hinted that tariffs could become a permanent feature of U.S. policy, arguing they incentivize domestic manufacturing. Addressing concerns about consumer shortages, Trump downplayed their severity, saying Americans can adjust their consumption habits.
Pressed on civil liberties and immigration, Trump responded to concerns that his deportation policies bypass due process rights. He dismissed the notion that his administration violated the Fifth Amendment, stating, “I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said.” The comments come after a Supreme Court ruling compelled the federal government to aid in the return of a man wrongly deported to El Salvador.
In another segment of the interview, Trump denied any plans for military action against Canada following Liberal Party leader Mark Carney’s surprise election victory. “I don’t see it with Canada,” Trump said, while renewing his criticism of NATO allies for not contributing enough to their defense. Carney is scheduled to visit the White House for bilateral talks on Tuesday.
Trump also defended his ongoing immigration emergency order, first declared on his initial day in office. Despite data indicating a decrease in illegal crossings, Trump maintained the emergency is still valid due to legal delays and resistance from the judiciary. “The big emergency right now is that we have thousands of people that we want to take out, and we have some judges that want everybody to go to court,” he argued.
The wide-ranging interview sheds new light on Trump’s vision for the remainder of his presidency and the legal, political, and diplomatic challenges facing his administration.
