Nearly 1 in 10 Americans want President Donald Trump to run for a third term, according to a new poll by The New York Times and Siena University. But it would cross a historic red line that could spark a political crisis. Such a move would raise questions over the 22nd Amendment, which prevents any president who has served at least two terms from seeking a third.
Trump has toyed with the idea since winning the 2024 presidential election, sometimes saying he was kidding, other times being vague.
Vice President JD Vance gives remarks at a Sports Council announcement, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (White House Intern Photo by Julian Casciano)
The 22nd Amendment and Donald Trump
For almost 150 years, presidents restricted themselves to two terms in an unofficial tradition started by George Washington.
That changed in 1940, when then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt ran in and won that year’s election.
FDR won a fourth consecutive election in 1944, but died months into his fourth term in 1945.
In 1947, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment, which three-quarters of America’s then-48 states ratified four years later.
The amendment bars anyone from running for a third term if they have already served two, whether those terms are consecutive.
The only exception is if someone serves less than two years after assuming the presidency. Under the 22nd Amendment, if elected, they could run for a third term and serve it in full.
Donald Trump in NYC Creative Commons Photo
Trump and a Third Term
People have debated whether Trump could serve a third term ever since he announced his 2024 presidential campaign in November 2022.
One suggestion was to run as a vice presidential candidate on a fellow Republican ticket and inherit the presidency if the top of the ticket won the election and later resigned.
“A lot of people want me to do it,” Trump told NBC News in March 2025, arguing that there are “methods which you could” use to seek a third term.
Legal scholars, however, are less convinced. Jeremy R. Paul, a professor of law and former dean of the Northeastern University School of Law, told Northeastern Global News: “Under any reasonable interpretation of the 22nd Amendment, he can’t run again. The only way to do it is if he openly breaks the law.”
On running for vice president, Paul called it a “ludicrous argument.”
“They could argue that Trump isn’t constitutionally ineligible to serve as president, only to be elected president,” Paul added, noting that it would be “lawless” for courts to rule against the meaning of the 22nd Amendment and the two-term limit.
Trump himself eventually ruled out running mate to a fellow Republican, calling the idea “too cute” to win over the support of voters.
Will Trump Try? He Made a Recent Comment with a Big Hint
Trump 2028, nevertheless, seems to fluctuate as to whether the president is serious about a fourth consecutive presidential campaign.
At a rally in Iowa on Thursday, October 22, Trump told supporters he had “the right to run again” for president.
“I don’t know who is going to be your next president, and I think the law said, I’m not 100% sure, but I think the law says I’m not allowed to run again,” Trump said.
He also once again claimed that the Democratic Party “stole” the 2020 presidential election from him, adding: “I think I have the right to run again because they cheated.”
While Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have poured cold water on the prospect, insisting that Trump’s claims amount to little more than trolling of political rivals, the Trump camp has floated a possible third term since he returned to the White House.
The Trump store began selling “Trump 2028” hats last year, and the President wore one at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in July.
Republican Support
Ultimately, Trump would need to win another Republican primary campaign before focusing on the 2028 presidential election. And that’s putting aside, for a moment, legal challenges, which surely would come quickly.
While 8% of Americans back the President for a third term, the NYT/Siena poll shows 33% back Vice President J.D. Vance for the Republican ticket.
23% said they would vote for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while just 3% would back Trump’s once main rival and outgoing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
All other candidates polled at 1% or less.
Earlier this month, Trump refused to speculate on a potential presidential campaign for Vance. “He’s a very talented person and a very good person, but literally, I don’t think we’ve ever talked about it. It’s early, very early,” Trump said.
So what will Trump do? Your guess is as good as mine.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
