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

Trump as well as his MAGA allies had earlier floated the possibility of him seeking a third term
PUBLISHED MAY 5, 2025
Donald Trump has ruled out running for the presidency in 2028 (YouTube/NBC News)
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.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The interview resurfaced after Maxwell’s lawyer urged Trump to grant clemency so she could speak 'honestly'
1 hour ago
Bernie Sanders cited Donald Trump’s attacks on media, universities and rivals, warning that the country is 'moving into an authoritarian society'
1 hour ago
The visit continued a tradition she began during Trump’s first term, when Melania marked the holiday at the Children’s Inn in 2018, 2019 and 2020
1 hour ago
Donald Trump said exposing the alleged fraud’s full scale could greatly impact the federal budget and even help balance it without major spending cuts
1 hour ago
Donald Trump called Bad Bunny’s performance 'absolutely terrible,' 'a slap in the face to our country,' and said the dancing was 'disgusting'
3 hours ago
Karoline Leavitt called the SAVE Act a 'common-sense' law to prevent election fraud while allowing accommodations for those who cannot vote in person
4 hours ago
Karen Bass introduced a new law that would impose fees on property owners who allow federal authorities to operate on their sites
4 hours ago
Tim Walz said his talks with Trump’s border czar Tom Homan and White House chief Susie Wiles led him to expect ICE operations in Minnesota to ease
5 hours ago
Donald Trump backed Senator Lindsey Graham’s effort to end sanctuary policies, accusing Democrats of protecting criminals
5 hours ago
Speaking at a press conference, Katherine Clark dismissed Republican claims that the proposal is aimed at 'protecting' election integrity
5 hours ago