Trump says he can't run for third term after months of conjecture

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he's disappointed he can't seek another term as president after months of speculation that he might try to do so despite a constitutional cap.

"If you read it, it's pretty clear. I'm not allowed to run. It's too bad," Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Wednesday's remarks were the president's clearest yet on the subject. Discussion about a third term has continued in recent months. Trump has given the idea more life by bringing it up several times since retaking the White House in January.

Reporters have also asked the same question of House Speaker Mike Johnson, a constitutional scholar. On Tuesday, Johnson, as he has in the past, brought up the 22nd Amendment, which limits a person to two presidential terms. 

"I think the president knows, he and I have talked about the constrictions of the constitution, as much as so many of the American people lament that," Johnson said. "The Trump 2028 cap is one of the most popular that's ever been produced. And he has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats, whose hair is on fire about the very prospect." 

Asked on Air Force One if he had been "trolling" all along, as Johnson said, Trump didn't answer the question. 

"I don't think he said that, I don't think he'd use that term. It's very interesting, I have the best [poll] numbers for any president in many years," the president said.

Trump's signature red cap with "2028" on it has been displayed at the White House, including in the Oval Office for a meeting with Democratic leaders.

In January, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., filed a proposal for a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve for three terms.

The resolution has not advanced and Ogles remains the only sponsor.

Most recently, Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally and former top adviser, brought up the issue in an interview with The Economist.

"Well he's going to get a third term. So, Trump '28, Trump is going to be president in '28 and people ought to just get accommodated with that," Bannon told the outlet.

"There's many different alternatives," Bannon said when asked about the 22nd Amendment. "At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is."

The U.S. Constitution's 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, set a two-term limit for the presidency. That amendment came after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected in 1932, 1936, 1940 and 1944. Roosevelt died in 1945, months after being sworn in for his fourth term. He is the only president who served more than two terms.