President Donald Trump finally acknowledged on Tuesday that he cannot serve a third term as president.
For most leaders, confirming a constitutional limit would be routine. For Trump, it is noteworthy. Over the past few weeks, he has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of running again, despite the clear restrictions of the 22nd Amendment.
The admission came during a brief in-flight gaggle aboard Air Force One as it headed to South Korea. “I would say that, if you read it, it’s pretty clear,” Trump said, referring to the Constitution. “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad. I mean, it’s too bad. But we have a lot of great people.”
Trump’s occasional flirtation with the idea of a third term has been hard to miss. “Trump 2028” hats have been spotted in the Oval Office, and his former adviser Steve Bannon has repeatedly insisted that Trump can return to the White House, claiming that “there’s a plan” and that the former president will win in 2028.
Just a day earlier, Trump declined to explicitly rule out another run. “Am I not ruling it out?” he said. “I mean, you’ll have to tell me. All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they don’t.”
Trump also used the moment to highlight potential Republican contenders, naming Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as strong options. That comment could foreshadow a brewing rivalry for 2028.
Even before Trump’s admission, some Republican allies floated wild ideas about sidestepping the Constitution. Hours earlier, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) suggested the president “might be able to go around the Constitution” to serve a third term.
For now, Trump appears to be stepping back—if only officially—while continuing to shape the field of potential Republican successors.
Listen to the audio below:
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump RULES OUT 3rd term in office
“If you read it, it’s pretty clear! I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad!”
“BUT — we have a lot of great people.”
JD VANCE and MARCO RUBIO! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/uHcdvknu7H
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 29, 2025
