Can Trump serve a third term as president? Here’s what to know

New York Post - Mar 31st, 2025

President Trump has sparked controversy by expressing a desire to serve a third term, despite the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms. Trump initially mentioned the idea as a joke but later reiterated it in a serious tone during an NBC interview, stating, "There are methods which you could do it." His supporters have suggested amending the Constitution or finding loopholes, such as having Trump run as a vice-presidential candidate, although legal experts have dismissed these notions as implausible.

The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, was designed to prevent presidents from serving more than two terms, a tradition started by George Washington. The only president to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected four times before the amendment's adoption. Trump's ambition raises significant constitutional and political questions, reflecting the ongoing debate about presidential power and term limits in the US. Legal experts, like Notre Dame's Derek Muller, argue that current laws provide no valid path for Trump to serve a third term, emphasizing the robust safeguards against such a scenario.

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RATING

5.8

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging discussion on a controversial topic of public interest: the possibility of a U.S. president serving more than two terms. It accurately presents the constitutional limitations and historical context but lacks depth in sourcing and transparency. The article could benefit from more direct citations and a broader range of perspectives, particularly from legal experts and constitutional scholars. While the story is clear and readable, with a neutral tone, it leans towards sensationalism in its portrayal of Trump's ambitions. Overall, the article serves as a starting point for discussions on presidential term limits but requires further exploration and authoritative sourcing to enhance its impact and credibility.

Accuracy

The article accurately reflects President Trump's public comments about potentially serving a third term, which he initially described as a joke but later suggested there could be methods to achieve it. The story correctly cites the 22nd Amendment's restrictions on presidential terms, affirming that a president cannot serve more than two terms. However, the article could have provided more precise details about the legal pathways proposed by Trump's supporters and the specific constitutional amendments required. The mention of Franklin D. Roosevelt as the only president to serve more than two terms is accurate, aligning with historical records.

Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including Trump's statements, his supporters' views, and legal experts' opinions. However, it leans slightly towards sensationalism by emphasizing Trump's ambitions without adequately exploring the improbability of such a scenario under current constitutional law. While it mentions legal expert Derek Muller's views, it does not provide a comprehensive range of legal opinions or counterarguments from Trump's opponents or constitutional scholars.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the main points. The language is accessible, though it occasionally lacks precision, particularly in describing the legal complexities of altering constitutional amendments. The tone is neutral, with some sensational elements that could have been more restrained.

Source quality

The article lacks direct citations or references to primary sources such as Trump's interviews or official statements. It relies on paraphrased content, which may affect the reliability of the information. The mention of a legal expert adds some credibility, but the absence of direct quotes or references from constitutional scholars or lawmakers weakens the overall source quality.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the sources of its information, such as specific interviews or public statements by Trump. It also lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to gather and verify the information presented. The article could benefit from more explicit attributions and explanations of how the claims were substantiated.