This time, the issue was raised by Trump himself, who offered two red hats emblazoned with “Trump 2028” as parting gifts to two Democratic senators who had visited the Oval Office for talks on averting a government shutdown. Although they declined, questions arose as to whether this was an attempt to anger opponents or a more subtle indication of a serious plan for a third term.
After Donald Trump’s unusual behavior during a White House meeting, a burning question has been raised again: is the 79-year-old president planning to run for another term and violate the US Constitution? This time, the issue was raised by Trump himself, who offered two red hats with the inscription “Trump 2028” as a parting gift to two Democratic senators who had visited the Oval Office for talks on averting a government shutdown. Although they declined, questions arose whether this was an attempt to anger opponents or a more subtle indication of a serious plan for a third term.
THIRD MANDATE
The point is that this hat is not just a joke, but is related to the “Trump third term theory,” a topic of discussion in American politics since the beginning of this year. The XXII Amendment of the US Constitution expressly states: “No person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice.” This amendment was adopted after President Franklin D. Roosevelt broke precedent by successfully running for a fourth term and dying 41 days into his fourth term in 1945. Therefore, it is fundamentally impossible for Trump, who has already served two terms as president, to run again in 2028. While a constitutional amendment could open the door to a third term, the prevailing view is that this is impossible given the current distribution of seats, where the Republican Party barely holds a majority.
“PLAN B”
This has led some to discuss a “bypass scenario.” The plan involves current Vice President J.D. Vance running as the presidential candidate in the 2028 election, with Trump as his running mate, creating a “President Vance-Vice President Trump” combination. If Vance were to resign or face an unforeseen circumstance during his term, Trump could potentially take over the presidency from the vice president.
The argument is that the 22nd Amendment only prohibits the president from being elected three times through elections, not inheritance. Of course, this would spark significant constitutional debate. As a result, opinions in American political circles are divided, with some saying: “If it’s Trump, nothing is impossible,” and others questioning: “Would he really go that far?” A Washington source said: “Regardless of whether he actually seeks a third term, Trump may be aiming to prevent a ‘disadvantageous’ situation by keeping the option open.”
LIFE AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE
However, the respected British media outlet The Telegraph claims that the president is looking forward to life after the White House, citing plans to build a presidential library in Miami as the clearest sign. They were announced by his son Eric, who thanked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republican officials for offering it a prime downtown location. “In keeping with our family DNA, this will be one of the most beautiful buildings ever built, an icon on the Miami skyline. Rest assured, it will not look like the prison-like Obama building,” said Eric, who is one of three trustees of the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
Construction is expected to begin within five years, and the Telegraph notes that this confirms that Trump does not plan to try to stay in office beyond January 2029. They refer to statements from 2022, when sources close to Trump criticized the mention of a presidential library. “Nobody talks about a presidential library, that’s what you do when you retire,” one of his advisers said at the time. The topic of a library was raised three years ago when information was revealed that it was being discussed, with staff trying to look at potential properties in Florida, but the deal fell through after Trump reportedly became obsessed with returning to power.
