Donald Trump has expressed a strong interest in serving a third term as President, a notion that a former White House strategist is reportedly exploring. However, one thing remains clear: he has no intention of stepping down to a lesser role.

While traveling from Malaysia to Japan, President Trump, now in his second term, once again faced questions about whether he plans to run for a third term, despite the constitutional barrier set by the 22nd Amendment that prohibits it.

Though some may interpret these discussions as lighthearted banter, the 79-year-old Trump has been consistently quizzed about the possibility of a 2028 campaign. To further fuel speculation, he has distributed red ‘Trump 2028’ hats to his most ardent supporters, with the merchandise also available for purchase on the Trump Organization’s website.

“I would love to do it. I have my best [poll] numbers ever,” Trump remarked about the idea of a third run while addressing reporters aboard Air Force One. He did, however, concede that he hasn’t given it much serious consideration yet.

‘I would love to do it. I have my best [poll] numbers ever,’ Trump said of the idea of running again while speaking to reporters on Air Force One, adding he hasn’t ‘really thought about it.’

Trump’s approval rating is around 45 percent, according to the RealClearPolitics average. 

There are many good candidates in his Cabinet and inner circle that would make great presidents, Trump explained.

A reporter then asked Trump a point-blank follow-up question about whether he has ruled out serving a third term in office.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L), US President Donald Trump and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (R) look on as they take questions from reporters aboard Air Force One as he flies to Japan on October 27, 2025

Trump told reporters that he’d ‘love to’ run again and stressed his polling numbers are good. Trump’s approval rating is around 45 percent, according to the RealClearPolitics average 

‘Am I not ruling it out? You’ll have to tell me,’ Trump shot back, not denying the third-term plan.

Steve Bannon, a Trump adviser during the first term, stirred headlines recently after claiming that individuals are looking at plans to work around the two-term limit, prompting the question. 

‘Trump is going to be president in ’28, and people ought to just get accommodated with that,’ Bannon told The Economist. 

‘He’s going to get a third term… at the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is. ‘But there’s a plan.’ 

That plan does not include Trump serving as vice president, however. 

‘Yeah, I’d be allowed to do that,’ Trump said of potentially running for VP in 2028 before admitting he ‘wouldn’t do that’ because ‘it’s too cute.’ 

‘I think the people wouldn’t like that. It’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right,’ he said.

If the president rules out running for a third term, he does have clear favorites for who the Republican ticket should be. 

Trump mentioned how if VP JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio ran on the same ticket in 2028 they would be ‘unstoppable’ 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and Vice President JD Vance (L) look on as United States President Donald J Trump meets with Canadian leadership in the Oval Office

‘We have, JD, obviously, the Vice President is great. Marco is great. I think I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two.’

‘I think if they ever formed a group, it would be unstoppable,’ the president claimed. 

In the same breath, he also chided New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rumored 2028 presidential hopeful, and Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, one of his newest political rivals. 

‘All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they don’t. They have Jasmine Crockett, a low-IQ person. They have AOC who is low-IQ. You give her an IQ test, have her pass the exams that I decided to take when I was at Walter Reed.’

Trump landed in Japan late Monday evening and met with the emperor before several days of meetings, including with the country’s new prime minister. 

The most crucial stop of the entire visit will happen after Japan in South Korea, where Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

The Republican also broadcast a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while aboard Air Force One.  

‘I haven’t mentioned it, I haven’t said anything, but I’d love to meet with him if he’d like to meet,’ Trump said. ‘If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea.’ 

The president even said he’d extend his trip to Asia, which is supposed to conclude Thursday, if Kim agreed to a gathering. 

‘Well, I haven’t thought of it … I think the answer would be yeah,’ Trump answered. ‘It is our last stop, so it’s pretty easy to do. I would meet with him.’