President Donald Trump recently joked about serving three or even four terms as president, a comment that appeared to be aimed at provoking the media. His remarks came just a day after Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) proposed an amendment to the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, which currently bars presidents from serving more than two terms.
The comments came during a victory rally in Las Vegas, a city with an economy centered around the service industry, where the new president emphasized his commitment to eliminating taxes on tips.
NEW: President Trump says it would be the honor of his life to serve 3 or 4 terms as president, appearing to troll the media.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 25, 2025
The statement comes one day after Rep. Andy Ogles proposes amending the 22nd Amendment to allow Trump to serve a third term.
"President Trump’s decisive… pic.twitter.com/Jn8PZHH6ut
“President Trump’s decisive leadership stands in stark contrast to the chaos, suffering, and economic decline Americans have endured over the past four years,” Ogles said in defense of his proposal. The amendment he introduced on Thursday would allow a president to serve up to three terms, provided they were not consecutive beyond two terms.
The proposed amendment reads: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
Context of Trump’s Remarks
Trump addressed the possibility of running for office again during a meeting with House Republicans in Washington, D.C., ahead of internal leadership elections. Referring to the possibility of extending his presidency, Trump said, “I suspect I won’t be running again, unless you do something. Unless you say, ‘He’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”
While progressive media outlets have predictably raised alarms over such statements, several Republican lawmakers who were present emphasized the remarks were meant in jest. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) dismissed the notion of Trump seriously pursuing a third term, saying, “That was a joke. It was clearly a joke. I leaned over to [Arizona Rep.] Andy Biggs and said, ‘That’ll be the headline tomorrow: Trump trying to thwart the Constitution.’”
Trump’s Position on a Third Term
Trump has previously clarified his stance on the matter, stating that he would not seek a third term even if constitutional amendments allowed it. Speaking to Time magazine last year, Trump said, “I wouldn’t be in favor of a challenge. Not for me. I wouldn’t be in favor of it at all. I intend to serve four years and do a great job. And I want to bring our country back. I want to put it back on the right track.”
This isn’t the first time Trump has floated the idea of serving beyond the current constitutional limit, often in a tongue-in-cheek manner that many interpret as media bait. His remarks come amid a broader push by some in the GOP to capitalize on his enduring popularity within the party.
As of now, Ogles’ proposed amendment is exceedingly unlikely to gain the traction needed for ratification, requiring the approval of two-thirds of both the House and Senate and three-quarters of state legislatures. Nevertheless, the discussion underscores the loyalty Trump continues to command among most Republican lawmakers and his influence on the party’s agenda.
By injecting a bit of humor into a politically charged topic, Trump once again demonstrates his ability to dominate headlines and steer the national conversation.
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How about no more than Hussein?
Of course he actually is serving his 3rd term, just his 2nd official term….
Careful, we don’t want Obama coming back for a third term.
Just a technicality, but it bothers me how much people misstate the constitution. The 22nd amendment does NOT prohibit someone from serving more than two terms, It prohibits someone from being ELECTED to more than two terms. There are various ways Trump could serve a third term without being elected a third time. For example, Trump could be elected as VP in 2028, and whoever is president could resign. It may seem far-fetched, but it is NOT prohibited under the Constitution.