President Donald Trump on Wednesday acknowledged that he cannot seek a third term in office under the U.S. Constitution, calling it “too bad” while hinting at his desire to continue serving beyond his current tenure.
“If you read it, it’s pretty clear,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled from Japan to South Korea. “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.”
According to the Associated Press, the president’s remarks came a day after House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated that a third Trump term would be constitutionally impossible. “I don’t see the path for that,” Johnson said at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. The Louisiana Republican, a staunch Trump ally, said he and the president have spoken about the issue, noting that Trump “understands the situation” outlined in the 22nd Amendment, which restricts any president to two elected terms.
“The Constitution is clear,” Johnson said. “You’d need a whole new amendment to change that, and that’s a long, complicated process involving Congress and the states. It could take decades.”
Still, Johnson expressed confidence in Trump’s political momentum. “We’re not taking our foot off the gas,” he said. “We’re going to deliver for the American people. He’s got four strong years ahead.”
Trump, however, left room for interpretation, as he often has when discussing his political future. “Based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run,” he said. “So we’ll see what happens.”
The president has repeatedly flirted with the idea of serving beyond two terms, sometimes as a joke and other times as a test of political boundaries. “Trump 2028” hats have been spotted around the White House as souvenirs, and allies such as former campaign manager and podcaster Stephen Bannon have publicly speculated about a possible third Trump term.
During a flight to Japan earlier in the week, Trump told reporters, “I would love to do it,” referring to another presidential run. He added that the Republican Party has “great options” for the next election, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
“All I can tell you is we have a great group of people,” Trump said.
The AP hinted that when pressed on whether he would consider running as vice president—a potential legal loophole some have floated—Trump dismissed the idea as “too cute.” “You’d be allowed to do that, but I wouldn’t do that,” he said.
Trump’s remarks come as he continues to test the limits of executive authority, deploying National Guard troops to cities against governors’ wishes, using private donations to fund military operations and White House renovations, and exercising sweeping discretion in federal spending decisions amid a partial government shutdown.
Speaker Johnson, who rose to prominence with Trump’s endorsement, downplayed critics who warn of the president’s growing power. “He enjoys trolling the Democrats,” Johnson said. “Their hair’s on fire, and he just has a good time with it.”
While the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment remains firm, Trump’s comments reinforce his continued influence over the Republican Party — and his enduring appetite for power.
