NEW YORK — President Donald Trump has again ignited speculation about his political future by launching a bold new merchandise item: a red “Trump 2028” baseball cap. The $50 hat, featured on the Trump Organization’s official online store, is marketed as a statement piece for supporters looking to embrace the idea of Trump pursuing an unprecedented third term in office.
The launch comes amid Trump’s public insistence that he is “not joking” about running again after his current second term — a move that would require a constitutional change or exploitation of legal loopholes, as current law prohibits any individual from being elected to the presidency more than twice.
The new cap, emblazoned simply with the year “2028,” was modeled in the online listing by Eric Trump, the president’s son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, who posed smiling in the attention-grabbing headwear. The listing encourages shoppers to “make a statement” by purchasing the merchandise, which has quickly attracted attention online.
When asked about the timing and purpose behind the product release, Trump Organization spokesperson Kimberly Benza offered a brief yet emphatic explanation: “Because it’s amazing,” according to the New York Post.
Although the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment bars Trump from seeking a third term, the president has repeatedly floated the idea in interviews and public remarks. In March, during a sit-down with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump claimed, “A lot of people want me to do it,” referring to a potential run in 2028. While he said he remains focused on his current administration, Trump added pointedly, “I like working” and suggested “there are methods which you could do it.”
Later, speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump escalated his claims further by asserting that he’s already serving what he considers a third term, referencing his continued belief that the 2020 election was “totally rigged.”
“I have had more people ask me to have a third term, which in a way is a fourth term,” Trump said. The statement reflects his ongoing rhetoric questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, which he claims were manipulated to prevent his reelection.
Constitutional Limits and Loopholes
Under the 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt served four consecutive terms, no individual can be elected president more than twice. The rule was implemented to prevent extended presidencies and reinforce the democratic principle of leadership turnover.
But Trump’s allies and supporters are exploring ways around that barrier. One speculative scenario discussed during his March interview with NBC involves Vice President JD Vance potentially running for president in 2028 with Trump as his running mate. In theory, Vance could resign after being elected, elevating Trump to the presidency without violating the letter of the Constitution.
Trump acknowledged this possibility, saying, “Well, that’s one. But there are others too. There are others,” hinting at additional strategies.
Legislative Efforts to Change Term Limits
Fueling the speculation, Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican congressman from Tennessee, introduced a resolution in January that would amend the Constitution to permit a president to serve up to three non-consecutive terms. The proposal was widely interpreted as an effort to pave the way for Trump to return to the White House after 2028.
“This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs,” Ogles said while unveiling the proposal.
Despite the attention it received among conservative media and pro-Trump factions, the resolution has not advanced in the House and faces long odds in Congress, where constitutional amendments require two-thirds approval in both chambers and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
Merchandise as Messaging
Trump’s use of campaign-themed merchandise to make political statements is not new. His signature red “Make America Great Again” caps became a ubiquitous symbol of his movement in 2016. The new “Trump 2028” cap may not signal an official campaign just yet, but it unmistakably aligns with Trump’s brand of political showmanship — blurring the line between merchandise and message.
As Trump continues to float the idea of extended leadership, even jokingly, the release of the 2028-themed gear offers a provocative visual cue for supporters — and a potential warning shot for critics — that the president is not ready to exit the political stage anytime soon.
Whether the push for a third term is a marketing stunt, a legal test, or a serious aspiration, the Trump 2028 hat has already succeeded in what it set out to do: get people talking.
