Trump Claims There Are ‘Methods’ For Him To Serve Third Term—What To Know

Forbes - Mar 30th, 2025

Former President Donald Trump has suggested he might seek a third term, despite the U.S. Constitution's 22nd Amendment barring presidents from being elected more than twice. In a recent interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Trump expressed that many people would like him to run again and noted that there are potential legal methods he could use to seek a third term. One such scenario involves Trump running as a vice-presidential candidate in 2028, with the elected president resigning to make way for Trump to assume the presidency. However, this potential strategy would likely face significant legal challenges and intense public scrutiny.

The discussion of a third Trump term has sparked renewed debate over presidential term limits and the potential for constitutional amendments. Representative Andy Ogles introduced a resolution to amend the Constitution to allow presidents to serve three terms if the first two terms were non-consecutive, but it faces steep hurdles in Congress and among the states. Comparisons have been drawn to leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, who have manipulated political systems to extend their rule. The conversation around Trump's potential third term underscores ongoing tensions in U.S. politics and the evolving interpretations of constitutional law.

Donald Trump Presidential Election Andy Ogles Constitutional Law 22nd Amendment Third Term Nbc Meet The Press

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively covers a controversial and timely topic regarding President Trump's potential third term. It accurately presents Trump's statements and the constitutional framework but lacks depth in legal analysis and expert perspectives. The clarity and readability of the article are strong, making complex issues accessible to readers. However, the story could benefit from more balanced coverage, including diverse viewpoints and authoritative sources. The topic's inherent controversy and public interest ensure that it will engage readers and provoke discussion, though its impact may be limited without further expert analysis.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports President Trump's comments about potentially seeking a third term, aligning with his public statements. It correctly identifies the constitutional limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits a president from being elected more than twice. The article also accurately outlines the speculative legal loopholes discussed by Trump and legal scholars, such as running as vice president and then assuming the presidency. However, the story could benefit from more detailed legal analysis to clarify the feasibility of these loopholes and potential legal challenges, particularly concerning the 12th Amendment.

Balance

The article presents Trump's perspective and the legal challenges to his potential third term candidacy. It mentions the constitutional barriers and the improbability of amending the Constitution to allow a third term. However, it lacks perspectives from constitutional experts or political analysts who might offer a more critical view of Trump's claims. The story could be more balanced by including these viewpoints and discussing the broader political implications of such a move.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical structure that guides the reader through Trump's statements, the constitutional context, and potential legal loopholes. The language is straightforward, making the complex legal issues accessible to a general audience. However, the story could benefit from a more detailed explanation of the legal arguments involved in testing the 22nd Amendment.

Source quality

The story references Trump's statements and a proposal by Rep. Andy Ogles, but it lacks direct citations from legal experts or constitutional scholars. The absence of authoritative sources diminishes the story's reliability. Including expert opinions or analyses from constitutional law scholars would enhance the credibility and depth of the article.

Transparency

The article provides a clear account of Trump's statements and the constitutional context, but it lacks transparency in terms of its sources and methodology. There is no indication of how the information was gathered or whether any attempts were made to verify Trump's claims with experts. Greater transparency about the article's sources and any potential biases would improve its trustworthiness.