Trump Eyes Third Term, Makes Fresh Claim About His Right to Rule Again
US President Donald Trump has reignited speculation about his political future after suggesting he has the right to seek a third presidential term, citing alleged election fraud despite constitutional restrictions.
Trump made the remarks during a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday evening, where he addressed supporters about the possibility of running for president again.
The president initially acknowledged that the law appeared to prevent him from seeking another term but subsequently questioned the restriction by repeating his longstanding, unsubstantiated claim that Democrats cheated him out of victory in the 2020 presidential election.
“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 told the crowd.
He then argued that the alleged electoral wrongdoing gave him grounds to contest another election.
“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, prompting applause and laughter from some supporters.
Trump repeated the claim, maintaining that he believed he was entitled to another presidential bid because of what he described as electoral cheating.
What the US Constitution Says About a Third Term
Trump’s latest remarks have renewed questions about whether he intends to pursue another term beyond his current presidency.
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice.
Trump won the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections, meaning the existing constitutional provision bars him from being elected to a third term.
However, the president has repeatedly raised the possibility of remaining in office beyond the constitutionally permitted limit, sometimes presenting the idea humorously while continuing to make comments that attract political attention.
In October 2025, Trump told reporters that he would love to serve a third term. At a rally in Texas in February 2026, he also suggested that the country might need another term under his leadership.
Speculation surrounding a possible Trump 2028 campaign has also been fuelled by merchandise bearing the slogan “Trump 2028”.
According to The Guardian, Trump wore one of the hats at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in July, adding to the attention surrounding his repeated references to another presidential run.
Trump Acknowledges Constitutional Restrictions
Although Trump has continued to suggest that he could run again, he has also acknowledged the difficulty posed by the Constitution.
During Thursday’s rally, he described the wording of the relevant provision as restrictive, suggesting that it left little room for interpretation.
His comments followed earlier attempts by some of his allies to downplay the third-term discussion.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson previously described Trump’s remarks as an effort to provoke Democrats, saying the president enjoyed teasing political opponents with the possibility of another term.
Johnson also expressed doubt that the Constitution could be amended to allow Trump to run again.
Nevertheless, Trump’s repeated statements have kept the issue in public discussion, with critics questioning whether his comments should be dismissed as jokes.
Trump Turns Attention to Midterm Elections
The president’s latest remarks came as he urged supporters to participate in November’s US midterm elections as though he were personally on the ballot.
Trump is seeking strong Republican turnout to help his party secure additional seats in Congress.
The midterm elections will determine the composition of the US Congress and could influence the president’s ability to advance his legislative agenda during the remainder of his term.
His appeal comes amid reports of declining approval ratings, presenting a political challenge as Republicans seek to maintain support ahead of the elections.
While Trump has continued to raise the possibility of another presidential bid, his comments do not change the constitutional restrictions governing presidential elections.
For now, the 22nd Amendment remains in force, and Trump cannot be elected president for a third time under its existing provisions.
