Trump Revives Third-Term Bid, Claims He Has Right to Run Again
US President Donald Trump has again suggested that he could seek a third term in office, arguing that alleged electoral fraud gives him the right to run again despite constitutional restrictions.
Trump made the remarks on Thursday evening during a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, where he spoke to supporters about the possibility of contesting another presidential election.
The president initially acknowledged that the law appeared to prevent him from running again but subsequently challenged that restriction by repeating his longstanding claims that Democrats rigged the 2020 election against him.
“I don’t know who is going to be your next president and I think the law said, I’m not 100% sure, but I think the law says I’m not allowed to run again,” Trump told the crowd.
He later argued that the alleged election fraud gave him grounds to seek another term.
“Well, the one thing is different: they cheated us on the second one because we won it three times. So I think I have the right to run again,” he said, drawing applause and laughter from some supporters.
Trump repeated the claim, maintaining that he believed he was entitled to contest another election because he had allegedly been cheated.
US Constitution Restricts Trump to Two Elected Terms
Trump’s comments have renewed attention on the constitutional limits governing how long a US president can remain in office.
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution states that no person can be elected president more than twice.
Trump won the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections, meaning he cannot be elected to a third term under the existing constitutional provision.
Despite this restriction, the president has repeatedly raised the possibility of remaining in office beyond his current term.
In October 2025, Trump told reporters that he would love to serve a third term. At a rally in Texas in February 2026, he also suggested that the country might need another term under his leadership.
The speculation intensified after Trump-branded merchandise bearing the slogan “Trump 2028” appeared in his online store. He also wore one of the hats at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in July, according to The Guardian.
Trump Allies Say Third-Term Talk Is a Joke
Some of Trump’s allies have dismissed his comments as jokes intended to provoke political opponents.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson previously said Trump enjoyed teasing Democrats with the idea of seeking a third term. Johnson also expressed doubt that the Constitution could be amended to permit another presidential bid.
However, Trump’s repeated references to the possibility have prompted concerns among political opponents about whether his remarks should be taken seriously.
During Thursday’s rally, Trump appeared to acknowledge the difficulty posed by the Constitution, describing the wording of the relevant provision as restrictive.
He said he had studied the language for a long time and suggested that it left little room for interpretation.
The president’s latest comments came as he urged supporters to vote in November’s US midterm elections as though he were personally on the ballot.
Trump hopes strong Republican turnout will help his party secure additional seats in Congress. However, the effect of his appeal remains uncertain as Republicans prepare for the elections.
His remarks also come amid declining approval ratings, adding another political challenge as his party seeks to maintain support ahead of the midterms.
For now, the constitutional restriction remains in place. Trump’s comments have revived discussion about a possible third term, but his claims do not change the legal limit on presidential elections.
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