Trump flirts with third-term bid despite constitutional ban

US President Donald Trump has once again flirted with the idea of seeking a third term in office, despite constitutional restrictions preventing him from doing so.

The 80-year-old Republican is serving his second term as president and has recently raised the possibility of remaining in the White House beyond the constitutionally permitted limit.

Speaking to rally-goers in Sioux City, Iowa, earlier this week, Trump admitted that he was unsure whether the law would allow him to run for president again.

“I don’t know who is going to be your next president, and I think the law says I’m not 100% sure but I think the law says I’m not allowed to run again,” Trump said.

The US Constitution’s 22nd Amendment prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice. Trump won the 2016 presidential election before losing to Joe Biden in 2020. He returned to the White House after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

The US leader, however, continued to challenge the restrictions, claiming that alleged election fraud in 2020 gave him grounds to seek another term.

“Well, the one thing is different: they cheated us on the second one because we won it three times. So I think I have the right to run again,” he said.

“I think I have the right to run again because they cheated,” the president added.

Trump eyeing third term in office

Trump has repeatedly questioned the constitutional barrier to a third term, although the 22nd Amendment’s wording leaves little room for interpretation.

While acknowledging the restrictions, he suggested that he had examined the relevant constitutional language and appeared frustrated by its clarity.

“I’ve studied that phrase forever. Unfortunately, it’s quite concise. There’s not a lot of wiggle room,” Trump said as per The Guardian.

Despite the constitutional obstacle, his latest remarks are likely to reignite debate over whether he could attempt to extend his presidency beyond his current term.

Under the existing constitutional framework in the US, Trump cannot be elected president for a third time unless the Constitution is amended.