President Donald Trump said Monday he would not consider running for vice president in 2028, firmly rejecting suggestions from some of his allies that he could use the role as a legal loophole to return to the White House for a third term.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo for meetings with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump said the idea of joining a future ticket—possibly with Vice President JD Vance—was “too cute” and “wouldn’t be right.”
“I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute,” Trump said. “I think the people wouldn’t like that. It wouldn’t be right.”
The president’s comments come amid renewed speculation about his political future, following remarks from his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, who recently told The Economist that there was “a plan” for Trump to serve a third term. Under the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, however, no one may be elected to the presidency more than twice.
Trump, 79, brushed off the idea of running as Vance’s vice president and then taking office if Vance were to resign, saying he believed Americans would reject such a strategy. He emphasized his popularity but said he preferred to win legitimately if he ever sought to return to the presidency.
“I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever—it’s very terrible,” Trump said, noting his approval rating of about 45%, according to RealClearPolitics. “But I wouldn’t do that. It’s too cute.”
The president also speculated about possible future Republican tickets, suggesting that Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio could make an “unstoppable” team in 2028. Still, Trump left open the possibility of running again, musing about a potential face-off with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
“Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he said.
Trump has previously hinted at seeking another term despite constitutional limits. In March, he told NBC that he was “not joking” about a potential 2028 campaign, though he later told CNBC he would “probably not” run.
During the Air Force One exchange, Trump also confirmed he underwent an MRI scan during his annual physical earlier this month but said the results were “perfect.”
Trump will be 82 years old at the end of his current term and would be 86 at the conclusion of a hypothetical third term in 2033. While some legal scholars have debated whether a vice-presidential route could bypass the 22nd Amendment, most constitutional experts have dismissed the theory as legally dubious and politically implausible.
Reuters/nypost
