Donald Trump is currently serving his second term as President of the United States, which has already been marked by several controversies and scandals. He recently posted a message on his Truth Social account, saying 'Long Live the King'.
Discover our latest podcast
The businessman-turned-politician recently told NBC Newshe may want to stay for a third term, but is it even possible? Find out everything you need to know below.
Donald Trump wants to stay at the White House for a third term
On Sunday 30 March 2025, Donald Trump gave an exclusive interview to NBC News over the phone. It was during that phone call that the 47th President of the United States revealed he is not ruling out staying at the White House for a third term. He added he was 'not joking', and that there were available methods that would allow him to do so, such as getting his Vice President JD Vance elected, then turning the role over to Donald Trump.
However, he refused to give examples of other methods he would use, should need be. He told NBC News:
I like working. I’m not joking. But I’m not — it is far too early to think about it.
Donald Trump went on, claiming many people would want him to stay at the White House for longer. He said:
A lot of people would like me to do that. But, I mean, I basically tell them, we have a long way to go, you know, it's very early in the administration.
However, the 78-year-old President explained he is focusing on his current term, for now. Would it be possible for him to remain President for a third time?
The Constitution makes it impossible, for now
Being elected for a third time is currently impossible, as the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution states:
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
The law was implemented after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt remained at the White House for four terms, from 1933 up until the end of the Second World War in 1945. So how could Donald Trump be elected for a third time? He would need either a two-thirds vote of Congress or two-thirds of the states agreeing to abolish the 22nd Amendment, a lengthy and difficult process. However, Donald Trump's ally Steve Bannon told News Nation that he believes the President will 'run and win again in 2028', and that he would find ways to come back to the White House despite the Constitution saying otherwise.
The President is also forbidden from taking on the role of Vice President after their presidency ends. According to the 12th Amendment:
No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
Read more:
Tiger Woods: Insider reveals his ex-wife's reaction to his relationship with Vanessa Trump
Secret Service nightmare as Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai followed by crowd at golf tournament
Is Melania Trump’s wedding dress really being sold on eBay? Here’s what we know
Sources used:
NBC: Trump won’t rule out seeking a third term in the White House, tells NBC News ‘there are methods’ for doing so
NPR: Trump is 'not joking' about third term, though Constitution says he can't serve
National Constitution Center: Two-Term Limit on Presidency
