US President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of running for a third term in the White House, saying he would “love to do it.”
But Trump rejected the possibility of running for vice president in 2028, an idea floated by some supporters as a way to circumvent the US Constitution, which bars a president from seeking a third term.
Speaking to reporters during a trip to Asia, Trump called the idea “too cute” and said it “wouldn't be right.”
It is unclear what method he will use to escape again. Last week, former Trump strategist Steve Bannon said there was a “plan” to give the 79-year-old president another term.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Japan from Malaysia, Trump said that while he would be “allowed” to run for vice president again, he had no plans to do so.
“I don’t think people will like it,” he said. “It's too cute. It would be wrong.”
Speaking about the possibility of a third term, Trump said: “I haven’t thought about it too much. But I have the best poll numbers I’ve ever had.”
In addition, Trump also suggested Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors, calling them “unstoppable.”
“All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people and they don’t,” he added, referring to Democrats.
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits presidents from seeking a third term.
Repealing the amendment would require approval by two-thirds of the House and Senate or a constitutional convention convened by two-thirds of state legislatures, a process considered highly unlikely.
Last week, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who remains an active supporter, said there was a “plan” to secure a third term for Trump.
“Trump will be president in '28 and people should just get over it,” Bannon told The Economist. “We will lay out a plan at the appropriate time.”
Trump told CNBC in March that he “probably won't” run again, although he later said he was “not kidding” about the possibility.
It's unclear which Democrats intend to run for the White House in 2028, although some have already expressed interest.
On Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CBS, the BBC's US affiliate, that he would “be lying” if he said he wasn't seriously thinking about the presidential election.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke to the BBC. she could run again and that she “may” become president in the future.
