Donald Trump has indicated that he is not dismissing the possibility of a third term as President of the United States, despite existing regulations that prohibit anyone from serving more than two terms. At 78 years old, Trump previously held the office as the 45th President from 2017 to 2021, before losing the subsequent election to Joe Biden.
Unfazed by this defeat, he is set to return as the 47th President, having won the election against Kamala Harris, and will serve from 2025 to 2029. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, clearly states that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,” suggesting that this term should be his final opportunity to hold the office.
Nevertheless, Trump has hinted at investigating various loopholes that could allow him to extend his tenure. In an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, he remarked, “A lot of people want me to do it,” and mentioned that “there are methods which you could do it.” One potential loophole he proposed involves Vice President JD Vance, 40, running for President with Trump as his Vice President, allowing Trump to assume the presidency if Vance were to resign.
Trump further stated, “But there are others too,” without providing additional details on these alternative methods. He emphasized to the outlet, “I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration. I’m focused on the current.”
Despite approaching his 80s, Trump expressed no intention of slowing down, asserting, “I like working.” He added, “I’m not joking. But I’m not — it is far too early to think about it.”
Supporters of President Trump frequently express their enthusiasm for his leadership, often chanting “four more years” during his public events. Currently, Franklin Delano Roosevelt remains the only U.S. President to have been elected to more than two terms, having passed away partway through his fourth term. Following Roosevelt’s presidency, the Constitution was amended to limit each leader to two terms in office.
Trump is only the second individual in U.S. history to have held two non-consecutive presidential terms, and he will be 82 years and seven months old when his current term concludes in 2029. This age will make him the oldest president in history upon the completion of his presidency, surpassing Joe Biden, who was 82 years and two months old at the end of his term. Should Trump secure a third term, he would be nearly 87 years old by the time it concludes.
Biden’s presidency faced significant scrutiny regarding his health and cognitive abilities, which ultimately led to pressure from fellow Democrats for him to withdraw from the race for reelection. This resulted in Kamala Harris stepping in as the candidate, who ultimately lost to Trump, including in all seven pivotal swing states.
Trump’s ambition for a third term may become a reality, as in January, Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) proposed a constitutional amendment to permit Trump to run for a third term.
However, for this legislation to advance, it must receive approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states, a process that may encounter challenges due to opposition from Democrats.
