Can Donald Trump Really Serve a Third Term?

March 31, 2025 7:47pm

The news media has gone apoplectic over Donald Trump's interview with NBC News in which he said he'd like a third term as President of the United States and that “there are methods which you could do it.” But are there such methods? Technically, yes. But they are so far-fetched that the real answer is "No."

After George Washington declined to serve a third term as President, all subsequent presidents until Franklin Delano Roosevelt chose to not seek a third term. Then, after FDR served from 1933 - 1945, our Constitution was amended to prohibit it, albeit not in every imaginable scenario.

The 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951. It states that "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once..."

Donald Trump was "elected to the office of the President" in 2016, and he was "elected to the office of the President" in 2024. Consequently, he can absolutely, positively, one-hundred percent, NOT be "elected to the office of the President" ever again. The fact that his two terms are not consecutive is irrelevant.

But is there another way to get a third term? NBC's Kristen Welker suggested a scenario in which Vice President JD Vance would run for office and then, assuming he won, resign and pass the role to Trump. Trump responded that that’s one method. But that indicates his ignorance of the 12th Amendment, which very clearly states that "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.." That language is very clear. Donald Trump cannot ever serve as Vice President. I'm not surprised that NBC's Kristen Welker didn't know that either. The level of ignorance among today's so-called "journalists" is astonishing. Remember when they were foolishly speculating about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis running as Trump’s VP? I explained at the time why that wouldn’t happen.

So is a third term for Donald Trump constitutionally impossible? No. There are two constitutional ways Donald Trump could be President after January 20, 2029. The Constitution could be amended to allow a third term. Despite Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN) proposing such an amendment in January of this year, there is a better chance you'll win the Powerball Lottery two weeks in a row than the chance his proposed amendment will be ratified. So what's the other path to a third term?

IF Donald Trump were to be elected Speaker of the House (which does not require him to be an elected Representative); or IF Donald Trump were to serve in a cabinet position that is in the presidential line of succession; and IF a future President were to vacate the office; and IF there was no sitting Vice President at the time; and IF all the people holding office in the line of succession above him were dead; then, and only then, could Donald Trump serve a third term. That was five "ifs." So, no, Donald Trump will not ever serve as President for more than eight years. Period.

So why is Donald Trump publicly expressing the idea of a third term? I don't know. Much of what Donald Trump says cannot be rationally explained. But I'm surprised Democrats haven't yet acknowledged that Donald Trump actually won the 2020 election. If they would just admit that, they could then get him removed from office now, because 2024 was his third time being elected. Ergo, he's ineligible to serve now! Please note that was obvious sarcasm.