Trump Jokes About Running in 2028 Election and Ignites Speculation

President Donald Trump once again joked about a candidacy for the 2028 election during a correspondents’ dinner in Washington. However, the Constitution prevents him from being elected president a third time, because he has already served 2 non-consecutive terms.

Trump wore a red cap with the number “2028” and said, in a humorous tone, that he would compete for a “fourth term.” The remark alluded to his rejection of the 2020 electoral defeat against Joe Biden, despite the fact that there is no evidence of massive fraud that altered that result.

The comment comes as the president attempts to maintain political control of the MAGA movement, an acronym for “Make America Great Again.” It also raises questions about who will lead the Republican Party after January 2029.

What Did Trump Say About 2028?

During the repeat of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump declared that he would announce his intention to run again. He then put on a red cap with the year 2028. The event took place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, instead of the traditional Washington Hilton. The venue had reinforced security measures following the April 26 attack, and attendance dropped from about 2,600 guests to approximately 700, according to RTVE.

Trump has repeated the theme during recent public events. His remarks blend humor, campaign messages, and criticism of the 2020 election. This strategy maintains the attention of his supporters, although it does not change the constitutional limits currently in place. The president claims that many supporters are asking him to remain in office after 2029. Nevertheless, a political statement, a cap, or a campaign cannot override the rule that limits presidential reelection.

Can Trump Run Again?

No, unless there is a constitutional amendment approved through an extremely complex process. The 22nd Amendment establishes that no person can be elected president more than 2 times. Trump was elected in 2016 and again in 2024. The fact that his terms are not consecutive does not eliminate that limit. Grover Cleveland served as president in 2 non-consecutive periods, but he also would not have been able to run for a third election after the amendment was adopted.

Amending the Constitution would require the support of two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Afterward, three-fourths of the states would need to ratify the proposed amendment. That path requires a level of national political support that does not currently exist. There has also been speculation about a vice presidential candidacy as a possible indirect route. However, constitutional experts argue that this alternative would face significant legal obstacles, because a person ineligible for the presidency also cannot hold the vice presidency.