Trump Rules Out VP Run But Leaves Door Open for Third Term
President Donald Trump and his national security team meet in the Situation Room of the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025. Official White House photo by Daniel Torok. Public domain.
Donald J. Trump has made it clear he will not run as Vice President on a J.D. Vance ticket in 2028, dismissing the idea as "too cute." Yet, he has not ruled out the possibility of a third presidential term, keeping the political world on edge about the future of American democracy. This unfolding drama raises pressing questions about constitutional limits and the potential for political norms to be stretched or manipulated.
Trump Rules Out VP Run But Keeps Third Term Door Open
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, Trump, 79, addressed speculation about his political future. When asked if he would run as Vice President to bypass the 22nd Amendment's two-term limit, Trump said he would not pursue that path, calling it "too cute" and suggesting the public would not approve, as reported by the New York Post. "I think the people wouldn't like that. It's too cute. It wouldn't be right," he said.
Despite ruling out the vice presidential route, Trump did not close the door on running for president again in 2028. He made a bold claim about having his "best numbers ever" and expressed enthusiasm for a potential rematch against New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as reported by the New York Post. Trump also suggested that a Republican ticket featuring Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be "unstoppable."
Steve Bannon's Bold Prediction
Adding fuel to the fire, former White House strategist Steve Bannon recently declared in an interview with The Economist that Trump will be president again in 2028. Bannon claimed there is a secret plan to circumvent the Constitution's term limits, promising to reveal details "at the appropriate time," as reported by USA Today. He insisted, "Trump is going to be president in '28, and people just ought to get accommodated with that."
Bannon's comments come despite his recent legal troubles, including a prison stint and guilty pleas on fraud charges. His influence in the White House is diminished compared to Trump's first term, but his bold claims about a third term plan continue to stir controversy and speculation.
Constitutional Limits Under Scrutiny
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly limits presidents to two elected terms. The 12th Amendment governs the election of the president and vice president, but some legal experts have debated whether a vice president who ascends to the presidency mid-term could circumvent the two-term limit. Trump's dismissal of the VP run as "too cute" acknowledges the constitutional and political risks of such a maneuver.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has publicly stated that Trump cannot remain president without a constitutional amendment, emphasizing the clarity of the 22nd Amendment. Thune described the idea of a third term as "pretty plain" in its constitutional prohibition, as reported by USA Today.
The Political Spectacle
Trump's flirtation with a third term is part political theater, part legal maneuvering. His public statements oscillate between outright denial and tantalizing hints. In March, he told NBC News he was "not joking" about running again, while in August he said he would "probably not" seek a third term, as reported by the New York Post.
Meanwhile, Trump's campaign merchandise, including "Trump 2028" hats, keeps the idea alive among his supporters. This ongoing spectacle raises fears about the erosion of constitutional norms and the potential for political power to be extended beyond established limits.
What Comes Next?
As Trump approaches his 80s, the question of whether he will seek a third term remains open. He will be 82 at the end of his current term and 86 by the end of a potential third term in 2033. The political and legal battles over this issue are likely to intensify as the 2028 election approaches.
For now, Trump's rejection of the vice presidential run strategy does not close the door on his ambitions. Instead, it adds another layer to a high-stakes political drama that tests the resilience of American constitutional limits and political norms.
You can expect the debate over Trump's third term to dominate headlines and political discourse in the coming years, as supporters and critics alike grapple with the implications of a former president seeking to extend his hold on power beyond the traditional two-term limit.
References: Trump rules out running as Vance's VP to gain third term, but open to Bannon plan: 'Let AOC go against Trump' | 'There is a plan' for Trump 2028, Steve Bannon says | Donald Trump Rules Out Idea to Run as JD Vance's Vice President in 2028
