Washington/Tokyo: Former President Donald Trump, fresh off a diplomatic whirlwind in Asia, has left the door ajar for an improbable third run at the White House in 2028, despite constitutional barriers.
In a candid exchange with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump responded to queries about a provocative idea floated by his longtime ally, Steve Bannon. The former White House strategist had urged Trump on his podcast to pursue another term, insisting “there is a plan” in motion. Trump, ever the showman, replied with characteristic flair: “I would love to do it. I have the best numbers ever.”
Yet, in the same breath, he tempered the enthusiasm, admitting he “hasn’t really thought about” such a campaign. The remark underscores Trump’s penchant for musing on possibilities that stretch beyond the 22nd Amendment, which caps presidents at two elected terms—a limit he tested during his first tenure.
Shifting focus to the future of the Republican Party, Trump spotlighted two rising stars as frontrunners for the 2028 nomination. He lavished praise on Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gesturing toward him during the flight and declaring, “We have some really good people… One of them is standing right here.” Turning to Vice President JD Vance, Trump added, “Obviously, JD is great. The vice president is great. I’m not sure anyone would run against those two.” The endorsements signal Trump’s intent to shape the GOP’s post-Trump era, even as he toys with extending his own influence.
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Bannon’s advocacy, as detailed by Politico, highlights the fervor among Trump’s inner circle to defy norms. But legal experts remain unanimous: the Constitution’s two-term rule is ironclad, with no viable workaround short of radical amendment.
Trump’s comments came en route to Tokyo, the second stop on his Asia tour after a productive 24-hour stint in Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit. There, he inked significant trade and rare earth mineral agreements, capped by a landmark peace treaty between Thailand and Cambodia. “NO WAR! Millions of lives saved,” he exulted in a Truth Social post from Kuala Lumpur. “Such an honor to have gotten this done. Now, off to Japan!!!”
The trip underscores Trump’s blend of deal-making and domestic politicking, keeping allies and adversaries guessing about his next move.
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