Why it suits Trump to plot a third term as president
Donald Trump continues to talk about the idea of a third term as president, even though it goes against the constitution. If he knows it’ll never happen, why does it suit him to keep the idea alive?
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In brief…
- Donald Trump has said “we’ll see what happens” when asked about the chances of a third term as president - which is strictly prohibited by the 22nd Amendment.
- The News Agents say he is “trolling us endlessly”, and that by entertaining the idea, the media is almost legitimising it.
- It suits Trump to keep the suggestion in conversation, as it prevents any spotlight on potential successors and distracts from questions on any of the real problems facing America.
What’s the story?
There's a "pesky little thing" called the 22nd Amendment blocking Donald Trump's next big political ambition – a third term in office.
Approved in 1947, the 22nd Amendment prevents anyone who has served two terms running for another, but that hasn't stopped MAGA supporters wearing 'Trump 2028' hats and the president himself courting questions from the press about his future intentions.
"Based on what I read, I guess I'm not allowed to run, so we'll see what happens," he told reporters on Air Force One.
"I'm not allowed to run, it's too bad."
To The News Agents, Trump is "trolling us endlessly".
"Can Trump run again? No, he can't because of the 22nd amendment," says Lewis Goodall.
"There are lots of provisions within the US Constitution which are badly drafted and unclear, but the 22nd amendment is not one of them. The wording is clear.
"I hate this conversation, and the way that it's framed in the media."
The endless conversation around the idea, he adds, almost "legitimises" the possibility of a third Trump term.
Why Trump doesn't want a third term
Donald Trump will be 82 years old when the next US election rolls around in 2028, and while his age could stand against him, it would likely be judicial opposition which thwarted any plans for a third term.
"I don't think he ever really seriously would because, at his age, I'm not sure he'd want it at that point," Lewis says.
"In his bones, he must know that even this Supreme Court, which has been deeply supine towards him – a third of its judges have been appointed by him – wouldn't roll over on that.
Trump has also recently shut down suggestions that he could, legally, run as vice president under JD Vance.
Why he's keeping the idea alive
In keeping a spotlight on the unlikely idea he will run for a third term, Trump steers it away from potential successors such as Vance or Marco Rubio.
"Trump wants to maintain his relevance," Lewis says.
"He knows that two-term presidents very quickly, within their second term, find themselves superseded in the media and political conversation.
“Trump, more than any president, does not want to be superseded in the political media conversation, he wants to remain central to it."
In fuelling the conversation about a third term, he prevents anyone else from planning for, or speaking about, their own intentions to run.
"MAGA is his creation, and what Donald Trump is also seeking to ensure is that whoever is the Republican candidate in the 2028 election, they are fully signed up to his MAGA project," says Jon Sopel.
"Donald Trump's approval for a particular person is going to be absolutely critical to whether they win the election or not."
But for now, we can expect to see more discussion about Trump 2028 hats, and more coy discussion about the likelihood of a challenge to the 22nd amendment.
"Trump knows it's a good distraction tactic," Lewis concludes.
"Rather than talking about the various things that are going wrong at the moment, everybody's then talking about whether he will, or whether he can."
"That's why I hate the question."