President Donald Trump continues to raise the prospect of serving an unconstitutional third term. And we predict it won’t happen.
Observations:
- For starters, Trump should focus on lowering grocery prices and tackling inflation. Forget all the talk about immigration and DEI. Trump won in 2024 because independent voters trusted him to end inflation. Period. If the public isn’t happy with grocery prices in 2028, not only will he not win again (provided he finds a way to run legally), but his name won’t even be discussed. And thus far, he’s off to a rocky start.
- Trump is not nearly as popular as he thinks, and the American public won’t give him a pass on the economy, no matter how many undocumented citizens are kicked out. He received less than 50 percent of the popular vote and defeated his opponent by just 1.4 percent. Moreover, had Kamala Harris won Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, states she lost by an average of 1.3 percent, she would have won the election. Had the election occurred in the 1980s or 90s, it would have been considered close. Trump was beatable in 2024 and will likely be in 2028.
- Trump will be 82 at the end of his current term, and 86 by the end of a third. Age will be a concern.
- Since 2016, Trump has undeniably been a pivotal figure in politics. Even during the years he wasn’t in office, his influence and presence were felt almost daily through headlines and public discourse. By 2028, he will have maintained this central role for an impressive 12 years. While his most ardent supporters may remain unwavering in their loyalty, it’s crucial to consider how independent voters—those who aren’t bound by party allegiance—might eventually seek fresh perspectives and new leadership.
- And let’s not forget yet another huge obstacle – It’s currently ILLEGAL for someone to be elected to the presidency more than twice.
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.“ - With all that stated, Trump certainly can find a way to run again – and win – IF he’s hugely popular at the end of his current term. If he’s as popular at the end of his term as Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama were at the end of theirs, the Constitution may very well be amended to allow Trump to run again. But we predict that won’t be the case.
Is Trump serious about running again?
Trump is serious about running again, and he’s strategically setting the stage early. Remember, even after his victory in 2016, he claimed the election was rigged, laying the groundwork to later assert that he lost the 2020 election due to fraud. Right after taking office, he warned that Democrats would attempt to steal the 2020 election. Fast forward nearly four years, and he managed to persuade almost 40 percent of Americans that there was illegal activity in the election, despite lacking any evidence. This pattern shows a calculated approach aimed at shaping public perception and expectations for future elections. By floating a third term, Trump is wisely planting another seed, hoping a third term will be more of an expectation among Americans than a surprise.
Of course, the push for a third Trump term comes despite the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms in office. Proponents argue that Trump needs more time to “finish the job” and implement lasting policies. They are backing a resolution introduced by Representative Andy Ogles to modify the Constitution, allowing presidents to serve up to three terms.
This move has alarmed historians and critics, who see echoes of authoritarian rhetoric in Trump’s recent statements and his supporters’ actions. The comparison to Caesar is especially concerning, given Caesar’s role in undermining Roman democratic institutions and consolidating power.
Once more, Trump supporters overestimate their idol’s popularity. He defeated his Democrat opponent by just 1.4 percent and still received less than 50 percent of the popular vote.
If Trump fails to deliver on his economic promises, it will significantly undermine his credibility and influence, making it highly unlikely for him to gain the necessary support to even propose a repeal of the 22nd Amendment.
PREDICTION: Midway into his second term (Jan 2027), no one will be talking about Trump running again. We hope Trump proves us wrong and knocks out inflation, improves foreign relations, and unites the country. We hope he surprises us, but we’re not counting on it. If Trump truly becomes the best president in U.S. history, which means being a president for ALL Americans, we’ll support a third term.
Should Trump receive the opportunity to run again, he can’t be counted out, as he has proved to be a tough candidate. Even in the 2020 race, which he lost, was much tighter than many of us projected.