President Donald Trump said he won’t run for vice president in 2028, calling the idea “too cute.” But he declined to rule out a third White House run, keeping “Trump third term 2028” speculation alive despite constitutional limits. He spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying from Malaysia to Tokyo on 27 October.
What the Constitution Says
The 22nd Amendment bars anyone from being elected president a third time. Some allies have floated a workaround: run Trump as vice president and have a president resign so he could assume office again. Trump dismissed that route as improper. Constitutional scholars also note the 12th Amendment makes anyone ineligible for the presidency ineligible for the vice presidency. Still, Trump told reporters, “I would love to do it,” when asked about a third term. That stance keeps the debate—and the key phrase “Trump third term 2028”—front and centre.
Praise for Vance and Rubio—Without a 2028 Endorsement
Trump praised Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as leaders who could run in 2028, saying together they would be “unstoppable.” Rubio, present during the exchange, reacted with a smile. Trump did not anoint a successor, and his comments muddied the Republican field as early positioning for 2028 continues. The nods to Vance and Rubio added fuel to “Trump third term 2028” chatter inside the party.
Context: Foreign Trip and Political Optics
The remarks came during Trump’s longest foreign trip since taking office in January, with stops tied to APEC and ASEAN summits. He’s seeking trade deals in Southeast Asia and hopes to meet China’s Xi Jinping this week. He also said he’d like another meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. The stagecraft matters: projecting activity abroad while stoking intrigue at home helps Trump dominate the 2028 conversation—third term talk included.
Age, Appetite—and a Legal Fight?
Trump, 79, said he has “the best numbers ever,” and when pressed about a legal battle over another run, said he hadn’t thought about it. He would be 82 in 2028. For now, he’s banking on momentum while sidestepping clear answers, ensuring “Trump third term 2028” remains a live headline—and a live headache for constitutional purists.
