President Trump on Wednesday appeared to rule out seeking a third term, acknowledging that the Constitution is “pretty clear” that he is not allowed to run again.
“It’s a very interesting thing. I have the best numbers for any president in many years,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to South Korea.
“And I would say that, if you read it, it’s pretty clear. I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad,” Trump added. “But we have a lot of great people.”
Trump has spoken about the prospect of running for a third term at least a half dozen times during the first nine months of his second term.
The 22nd Amendment stipulates that no individual can be elected to more than two terms as president.
Talk of Trump running again in 2028 picked up steam again after Steve Bannon, a Trump ally and former top adviser, said in a recent interview there was a “plan” to keep Trump in office, though he did not elaborate.
Trump, on a Monday flight to Japan, was asked about Bannon’s comments and said he’d “love” to run again, though he ruled out an idea floated by some supporters to run as a vice presidential candidate and then take over after the election.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Tuesday that he has talked to Trump about the constitutional limitations that would prevent the president from seeking a third term.
“It’s been a great run, but I think the president knows — and he and I’ve talked about the constrictions of the Constitution, as much as so many of the American people lament that,” Johnson told reporters.
