Donald Trump recently gave a clear answer about whether he plans to run for president again after his current term. Even though the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment says a person can’t be elected president more than twice, Trump has often hinted that there might be ways around that rule—what he has called “loopholes.” These hints have led to speculation about whether he might try to return for a third term in 2028.
Some politicians, like U.S. Representative Andy Ogles, have even suggested changing the law to allow someone to be elected three times, as long as the person didn’t already serve two consecutive terms or more than two years of someone else’s term. But right now, under current law, Trump is only allowed to serve two terms as president.
In a recent interview with CNBC on August 6, Trump was asked directly if he plans to run again in 2028. His answer was: “No, probably not, probably not.” He explained that he’s currently focused on the work he’s doing now and is encouraged by his popularity in the polls. He believes the strong support comes from his trade policies and how he dealt with other countries economically, saying that both friends and rivals used to take advantage of the U.S., but not under his leadership.
Trump has hinted in the past that people have been urging him to run again, but he admitted that as far as he knows, it isn’t legally allowed. He even acknowledged that people are already selling “2028” merchandise, but insisted he’s not seriously considering another run. Instead, he wants to focus on making the most of his time in office and then handing the presidency over to another strong Republican.
When asked who he sees as a good successor, Trump immediately mentioned his current Vice President, JD Vance. He suggested Vance would likely be a leading choice to take over, saying, “He’s the vice president,” and adding that Vance would probably be the favorite to carry on the Republican vision once Trump’s term ends.
So, while Trump has played with the idea of a third run in the past, he now says he doesn’t plan to go for it—and is instead looking toward building a strong legacy and passing the baton to someone he trusts.
