Donald Trump has dismissed growing speculation that he might seek a vice-presidential role in 2028 as a workaround to the U.S. Constitution’s two-term limit, calling the idea “too cute” and “not right.”
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Monday, 27 October 2025, the 79-year-old president responded to questions about whether he would consider running as vice president after his second term ends. “I would be allowed to do that,” Trump said, before quickly adding, “I wouldn’t do it… I think it’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right.”
Trump’s remarks come amid renewed chatter from his inner circle about unconventional strategies to extend his time in office. His former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, recently told The Economist, “He is going to get a third term… Trump is going to be president in ’28. And people just ought to get accommodated with that.”
Bannon’s comments have reignited debate over the 22nd Amendment, which clearly states that no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice. The amendment was introduced after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms in office, aiming to ensure that no one person would hold the presidency for too long and to prevent the concentration of power. Legal scholars have long argued that any attempt to circumvent this rule—such as through a vice-presidential succession—would be met with fierce constitutional challenges.
Still, some Trump loyalists have floated a theory: that Vice President JD Vance could run for president in 2028 with Trump as his running mate. If elected, Vance would then resign, allowing Trump to assume the presidency once again. The idea, while legally murky, has gained traction in certain conservative circles, symbolically reinforced by the appearance of “Trump 2028” hats on the president’s desk in the Oval Office.
Constitutional experts, however, remain sceptical. “The 22nd Amendment was designed to prevent exactly this kind of maneuver,” said Professor Elaine Markham, a constitutional law scholar at Georgetown University. “Even if technically permissible, it would undermine the spirit of democratic rotation and provoke a constitutional crisis.”
While the debate over the legality of such a scheme continues, Trump’s rejection of the vice-presidential route may calm some of the legal anxieties. However, it hasn’t stopped speculation about his post-2028 ambitions. His supporters continue to rally around the idea of a third term, citing his enduring popularity and perceived unfinished agenda.
The president’s comments also reflect a growing awareness of the optics surrounding such a move. “It wouldn’t be right,” he repeated, suggesting that even if legally feasible, the political cost could be too high. This highlights Trump’s continued concern about how his decisions might be perceived, not just by his base, but by the broader public and political establishment.
