‘Pretty clear I’m not allowed to run’: Trump puts speculation of third term as US President to rest | World News
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that it was ‘too bad’ he’s not supposed to run for a third term, days after reigniting the discussion about him seeking re-election in 2028.
‘I am not allowed to’
Trump will be the oldest US President in hory at the end of his second term in January 2029, and claims to have the highest poll numbers. But the Republican leader acknowledged that it is legally unlikely to have his name on the ballot in 2028.
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“I have my highest poll numbers that I’ve ever had, and, you know, based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
US President Donald Trump speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
What US Constitution says
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, which was ratified in 1951, establishes a two-term limit for the president.
“I would say that if you read it, it’s pretty clear,” Trump said. “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.”
Despite this, Trump didn’t entirely rule out the possibility of staying in office, saying, “So we’ll see what happens.”
US President Donald Trump toasts with state leaders during a dinner event hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump spoke about third term
Earlier this week, Trump had spoken about the possibility of a third term in office, saying, “I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever.”
When pressed a reporter whether he was not ruling out a third term, he said, “Am I not ruling it out? I mean you’ll have to tell me.”
‘Even if constitution is amended…’
However, on Tuesday, US House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close confidant of the President, had ruled out the possibility of Trump’s name being on the ballot in 2028, even if there was a constitutional amendment allowing him to seek a third term.
“I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution, because it takes about 10 years to do that, as you all know, to allow all the states to ratify, what two-thirds of the House and three-fourths of the states would approve,” Johnson had said.
