Donald Trump again addressed the idea that he would run for president in 2028, even though the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution prohibits anyone from being elected to the White House more than twice.
That hasn’t stopped Trump from brandishing Trump 2028 merchandise, or his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, from insisting that there is a plan for him to remain as president.
“Am I not ruling it out, you will have to tell me,” Trump told reporters on Monday as he was traveling to Japan.
One theory that has been floated is that Trump could run for vice president, with JD Vance on the top of the ticket. Then, Vance could resign and Trump could assume office again.
But the 12th Amendment states that “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.” The theory is that Trump would only be bound by the eligibility in place in 1804, when the 12th amendment was ratified.
Trump claimed that he would be “allowed to” run for vice president, but said, “I think the people wouldn’t like that because it’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right.”
The 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951 out of concerns of presidents serving for life, following the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected four times. Many Republicans on Capitol Hill recognize this, as Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) earlier this year proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow Trump a third term. Amending the Constitution requires a 2/3 vote of Congress and ratification of 38 states.
Trump did float a ticket featuring Vance and his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, calling such a scenario “unstoppable.”
