Trump Admits He Can’t Run for a Third Term — But Says “It’s Too Bad”

President Donald Trump acknowledged on Wednesday that the U.S. Constitution prevents him from seeking a third term in office, even as he hinted at his desire to continue serving. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Japan to South Korea, Trump remarked, “If you read it, it’s pretty clear. I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.” His comments renewed speculation about his long-running musings over extending his presidency beyond the two-term constitutional limit.

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution explicitly restricts presidents to two terms, a fact underscored by House Speaker Mike Johnson, one of Trump’s closest Republican allies. Johnson told reporters earlier this week that “there’s no path” for Trump to remain in office beyond a second term, emphasizing that amending the Constitution would require years of legislative and state approval. “We’re not taking our foot off the gas pedal,” Johnson added, promising that Trump’s administration would deliver “four strong years.”

Trump, however, left a note of ambiguity, saying, “Based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run. So we’ll see what happens.” The president has frequently toyed with the idea of staying in power, with “Trump 2028” hats circulating as political souvenirs. His former campaign chief, Stephen Bannon, has also floated the notion of a third term on his podcast.

Despite the talk, Trump said he believes the Republican Party has “great options” for the future, naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance as potential successors. When asked if he’d consider a legal loophole by running as vice president, Trump dismissed the idea as “too cute.”

As Trump continues to push the limits of executive power—deploying National Guard troops despite governors’ objections and accepting private funds for government projects—critics see his remarks as another test of political boundaries. Speaker Johnson downplayed the controversy, calling Trump’s third-term chatter “trolling the Democrats.”