WASHINGTON, USA – In his most definitive comments to date, President Donald Trump confirmed that he does not intend to seek a third term, citing constitutional limits, despite a flurry of speculation and merchandise suggesting otherwise.
“I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important,” Trump told Kristen Welker in an exclusive interview aired Sunday, May 4, 2025, on NBC News’ Meet the Press.
Trump, 78, is currently serving his second term after a dramatic political comeback in the 2024 election.
His remarks come amid renewed attention to the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits any U.S. president from being elected more than twice.
While Trump acknowledged pressure from supporters to pursue a third term, he conceded the legal obstacles were formidable.
“It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do,” he said.
“I don’t know if that’s constitutional that they’re not allowing you to do it or anything else.”
Under the U.S. Constitution, altering the presidential term limit would require a constitutional amendment — a rare and politically arduous process needing support from two-thirds of Congress and ratification by three-quarters of U.S. states.
A proposal by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) to remove the term limit has gained little traction in Congress.
In response, Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) introduced a resolution reaffirming the importance of the 22nd Amendment.
In the interview, Trump denied holding any official discussions about pathways to a third term but said he had heard “different concepts,” including a hypothetical scenario in which his vice president, J.D. Vance, wins the presidency and then cedes the position back to him — a notion experts widely regard as constitutionally unfeasible.
The Trump Organization recently stirred controversy by selling “Trump 2028” red hats emblazoned with the phrase “Rewrite the rules,” prompting speculation about Trump’s long-term intentions.
Trump downplayed the merchandise, saying, “There are many people selling the 2028 hat… this is not something I’m looking to do.”
Instead, Trump signalled a desire to pass the mantle of the “MAGA” movement — which he called “the greatest political movement in history” — to a new generation of Republicans.
He named several party figures as potential successors, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
When asked if Vance was at the top of his list, Trump responded, “It could very well be,” but declined to commit.
“I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy,” Trump said.
“Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great.”
Still, Trump said any talk of succession was premature.
“It’s far too early,” he added.
