Trump rules out third bid for White House as he suggests successors: 'I’ll be a two-term president'

Trump rules out third bid for White House as he suggests successors: 'I’ll be a two-term president'
Donald Trump has ruled out running for the presidency in 2028 (YouTube/NBC News)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has reportedly ruled out seeking a third term for the White House despite earlier speculations that he might run again in 2028.

During an exclusive interview with NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’, which aired on Sunday, May 4, the president said, “I’ll be an eight-year president; I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important.”



 

However, in March, he said, as per NBC News, “A lot of people want me to do it,” referring to making a bid for the Oval Office in 2028.

“But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration,” he had stated.

Trump says he’s ‘focused on the current’ tenure as he rules out third term

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 1, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 1, 2025, in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

When the 78-year-old was pressed about the third term, he replied, “I’m focused on the current. I like working,” before adding, “But I’m not — it is far too early to think about it.”

Besides, Trump 2028-branded red hats are already selling, with the slogan, “The future looks bright! Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat.”

But during the recent interview, the commander-in-chief shared, “It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do. I don’t know if that’s constitutional that they’re not allowing you to do it or anything else.”

Trump says he is ‘looking to have four great years’

He was referring to the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, which mentions, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - MAY 01: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to graduating students at the Coleman Coliseum at the University of Alabama on May 01, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Trump's remarks come the day before commencement ceremonies. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks to graduating students at the Coleman Coliseum at the University of Alabama on May 1, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Trump's remarks come the day before commencement ceremonies (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

During the interview, Trump told moderator Kristen Welker that “there are many people selling the 2028 hat. But this is not something I’m looking to do. I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward.”

Also, he went on to suggest his favorites that have the potential to run the country after him.

“There’s a lot of them that are great. I also see tremendous unity. But certainly you would say that somebody’s the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage,” Trump said.

Trump claims to have ‘the greatest economy in the history’

He also praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio and called him “great”.

But that was not it; the interview also focused on how Trump was handling the economy and as per him, “Look, yeah. Everything's OK,” despite the widespread criticism of his tariff plan.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump convened the meeting as reports released today say the U.S. economy contracted 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, the first negative reading in three years, fueled by a massive surge in imports ahead of the administration's expected tariffs. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

“I said, this is a transition period. I think we're going to do fantastically. Anything can happen. But I think we're going to have the greatest economy in the history of our country,” Trump added, as reported by BBC.

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