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On Monday, President Trump hinted once more about the possibility of pursuing a third term, expressing to reporters on his way to Japan that he “would love to do it.”
Speaking aboard Air Force One during his ongoing trip across Asia, Trump remarked, “I haven’t seriously considered it. We have some really competent people, as you know… but my poll numbers are the best they’ve ever been.”
During the conversation, Trump mentioned Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as promising candidates, suggesting they could form a formidable team.
“One of them is right here with us,” the president said, gesturing towards Rubio, who was present during the media briefing. “JD is outstanding, of course, as is Marco. I doubt anyone would want to challenge those two. Together, they could be unbeatable.”
When pressed on whether he was excluding himself from the race, Trump enigmatically replied, “You’ll have to tell me.”
“All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they don’t,” the president said, appearing to refer to Democrats.
Trump has repeatedly floated running for a third term, drawing the ire of critics. In an interview with CNBC in August, Trump said he would “probably not” run. However, in an interview with NBC News in March, Trump said he was “not joking” about the chance to run for a third term.
The 22nd Amendment blocks presidents from seeking a third term. The amendment was ratified in 1951, years after President Franklin D. Roosevelt secured an unprecedented fourth term.
To repeal the amendment, Trump would need support from two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate or a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Such a move would also require approval from three-quarters of state legislatures.