Trump hints at third term bid, says “I’m not joking”

US President Donald Trump has suggested he may seek a third term in office, despite constitutional limits. In an exclusive NBC News interview, Trump stated there were ways to do so and made clear that he was “not joking.”

During a Sunday morning phone call, Trump claimed, “A lot of people want me to do it,” referring to his allies. “But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration.”

Asked if he wanted another term, Trump replied, “I like working.” He reiterated, “I’m not joking,” while adding that it was “far too early to think about it.”

When pressed on whether plans had been discussed to allow him a third term, Trump said, “There are methods which you could do it.” He acknowledged that one option would be for Vice President JD Vance to run and later transfer power to him. “That’s one,” Trump said, before adding, “But there are others too.” When asked to elaborate, he simply said, “No.”

Amending the Constitution to remove the two-term limit would be an enormous challenge, requiring a two-thirds majority in Congress or agreement from two-thirds of US states to call a constitutional convention, followed by ratification from three-quarters of the states.

Despite these hurdles, Trump cited his strong poll numbers, stating that “a lot of people would like me to” remain in office beyond two terms.

Meanwhile, Republican Representative Andy Ogles has put forward a resolution seeking to extend presidential term limits, and Trump ally Steve Bannon has suggested that Trump will “run and win again in 2028.”

Further stoking controversy, the White House posted an image of Trump wearing a crown, quoting his social media post: “LONG LIVE THE KING!”