President Donald Trump has reopened the debate over whether he could seek a third term in the White House, despite previously acknowledging that the U.S. Constitution prevents him from running again.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Iowa on October 22, the president told supporters he sees a legal path to run in the 2028 presidential election, arguing that Democrats cheated him out of a win in 2020.
President Donald J. Trump participates in a courtesy call with Taoiseach Michael Martin at Farmleigh House, the official Irish state guest house, Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Dublin. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a ceremony at the Pentagon in observance of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, Friday, September 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
The comments come at a difficult time for Republican candidates, who are facing a so-called “blue wave” of Democrat wins in November.
Republicans may not want to hear the president suggest he could run again, either, as polls show the GOP is at risk of losing the House of Representatives and perhaps even the Senate, depending on Republican turnout.
The president’s comments have also revived a debate previously sparked by former White House adviser Steve Bannon, who has repeatedly claimed a plan exists to ensure President Trump wins a third term.
However, Bannon recently acknowledged that he does not believe the president wants to pursue the plan.
Trump Says He Has the Right to Run Again
Trump’s latest suggestion that he could run for a third term, at least in theory, came during a campaign rally speech in Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday, October 22.
“I don’t know who’s going to be your next president,” Trump told the crowd. “And I think the law says, I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think the law says that I’m not allowed to run again.”
He then suggested that, after reviewing the law, he found little wiggle room.
“I’ve studied that phrase forever…Unfortunately, it’s quite concise. There’s not a lot of wiggle room.”
However, the president then suggested that alleged cheating and fraud in the 2020 election could give him some flexibility.
“They cheated us on the second one because we won it three times, so I think I have the right to run again,” Trump said.
“I think I have the right to run again because they cheated.”
He then again claimed that the 2020 presidential election was “rigged.”
The president’s comments were met with a large round of applause, although the president appeared, in this instance, to be joking.
The comments were part of a campaign appearance intended to rally the Republican base.
President Trump has been touring the United States in recent weeks, making campaign stops in states that might otherwise be considered safe Republican seats.
Steve Bannon Said There Was A Plan
The president’s comments follow a long, drawn-out debate over whether any president can run for a third term.
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, has long said he had plans to ensure the current president could serve a third term.
In an October 2025 interview with The Economist, Bannon insisted that Trump not only has the right to run again, but will still be in office after 2028.
“He’s going to get a third term,” Bannon said. “Trump is going to be president in ‘28 and people ought to just get accommodated with that.”
Bannon said he would lay out the plan publicly at the right time, and insisted that there was indeed a plan.
However, his position later changed during an October 11 interview with CBS News, where he acknowledged that President Trump may not want to pursue another term.
Bannon said the president was simply not interested, but maintained he had discussed the matter with constitutional lawyers who identified possible routes.
Trump Previously Admitted It Isn’t Possible
Despite repeatedly suggesting he may have the right to run again, President Trump has said on multiple occasions that he does not believe it is likely to be achievable.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on August 11, 2026, Trump said that he would “love” to run but that the law was “very strong.”
Those comments followed a previous admission in October 2025, when he again conceded that the Constitution explicitly prevented another win.
Trump said that he was not allowed to run, that it was “too bad,” and that the law is “pretty clear.”
Changing the Rules Would be Tough
Efforts to change President Trump’s fortune have emerged.
Republican Representative Andy Ogles introduced legislation in January 2025 proposing an amendment that would allow presidents who served two nonconsecutive terms to run for another term.
However, changing the U.S. Constitution would require a huge amount of support for Trump at a legislative level.
It would require approval from two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
For Trump to run again, he would need a huge amount of support from Democrats, meaning it’s unlikely to happen.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
