United States President Donald Trump has ruled out running for vice president in the 2028 election.
Trump, however, declined to say he would not seek a third term, keeping alive speculation about how he might seek to extend his time in office.
The president has repeatedly flirted with the idea of serving beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms, joking about it at rallies and teasing supporters with “Trump 2028” hats.
Some allies have taken those signals seriously, suggesting that they are exploring legal or political pathways to make it happen — a possibility dismissed by most constitutional scholars.
The 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution bars anyone from being elected to the U.S. presidency a third time.
“No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States,” the Constitution read.
Some supporters have suggested that one way around the prohibition would be for Trump to run as vice president, while another candidate stood for election as president and resigned, letting Trump again assume the presidency.
Scholars say Trump is barred from running for vice president because he is not eligible to be president, according to Reuters.
92-year-old Biya wins Cameroon presidential election
“I’d be allowed to do that,” Trump said in an interview with reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew from Malaysia to Tokyo on Monday, October 27, 2025.
“I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute. Yeah, I would rule that out because it’s too cute. I think the people wouldn’t like that. It’s too cute. It’s not – it wouldn’t be right,” he added.
Referring to the possibility of a third term, the president said: “I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever.”
When pressed by 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.”
Asked about whether he would be willing to fight in court over the legality of another presidential bid, Trump responded: “I haven’t really thought about it.”
Trump also said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were “great people” who could seek the presidency in 2028.
“I think if they ever formed a group, it’d be unstoppable. I really do. I believe that,” he stated.
- Multimillion-naira property destroyed as fire razes building in Ibadan - January 24, 2026
- Outrage as US immigration detains 5-year-old boy, 3 other children in Minnesota - January 24, 2026
- 7 dead, 82 missing in Indonesian landslide - January 24, 2026
