President Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell that could shake up the political landscape for years to come.
The New York Post reported that while speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Tokyo for high-level meetings with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump expressed a keen interest in running for a third term in 2028 and dangled the idea of facing off against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Despite the 22nd Amendment clearly stating that no person can be elected president more than twice, Trump seems undeterred, repeatedly hinting at another candidacy with gestures like sporting “Trump 2028” campaign hats.
His current approval rating sits at 45.1%, per RealClearPolitics polling averages, which isn’t exactly a landslide but still shows a loyal base ready to rally. Could this be a strategic move to avoid the dreaded lame-duck status and keep the opposition on edge?
Trump also mused about a potential Republican dream team of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling it “unstoppable” for future elections. That’s a ticket that could make progressive activists break out in a cold sweat.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: a third term would push Trump to 86 years old by 2033, after wrapping up his current stint at 82.
While he’s floated the idea before—telling NBC in March he wasn’t joking about running again—he also told CNBC in August that he’d “probably not” pursue it. Which Trump are we to believe: the fiery contender or the pragmatic realist?
One thing is clear—he won’t be playing second fiddle to Vance. “I think the people wouldn’t like that. It’s too cute,” Trump said, dismissing the idea of a VP run to bypass term limits.
Perhaps the juiciest tidbit from this aerial press chat was Trump’s challenge to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and others in the progressive camp. “Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he declared, taking a swipe at what he sees as the left’s weaker players.
While his comments on their intellect were sharp, it’s hard not to see this as classic Trump theater—baiting opponents into a public arena where he thrives on spectacle. Is this a genuine 2028 preview or just a way to keep the headlines buzzing?
Meanwhile, former chief strategist Steve Bannon added fuel to the fire, claiming there’s a hush-hush plan for Trump to secure that third term, though specifics remain under wraps. “He’s going to get a third term… at the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is,” Bannon teased.
On a quieter note, Trump mentioned undergoing an MRI during his annual physical this month, though he didn’t elaborate on why.
His health at 79, and potentially into his mid-80s during a hypothetical third term, will undoubtedly be a topic of debate as this story unfolds. Still, for a man who’s faced as many political storms as Trump, a little scan seems like small potatoes.
For now, conservatives might cheer this audacious vision of a Trump encore, while opponents will likely decry it as a constitutional overreach. Whether it’s a serious plan or a masterclass in trolling the progressive agenda, one thing’s certain: Trump knows how to keep us all guessing.