Trump shows '4 more years' hat to European leaders after White House meeting
The photo shows Trump holding the red "4 more years" cap, while Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron look on, inside a room in the White House that contains Trump's hat collection and other memorabilia. Another hat in the collection says, "Trump 2028."
Under the Constitution, Trump is barred from running for a third term. Nevertheless, he's repeatedly toyed openly about the idea of running again in 2028. "Probably not," Trump said in an Aug. 5 interview on CNBC when asked if he will run again in 2028. "I'd like to run. I have the best poll numbers I've ever had."
More: Trump calls Putin to arrange meeting with Zelenskyy: Recap
During his Aug. 18 Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump remarked to the Ukrainian leader how Zelenskyy has postponed Ukrainian elections amid its war with Russia.
"So you say, during the war you can't have elections?" Trump said to Zelenskyy. "So let me just see: Three and a half years from now, so you mean, if we (the United States) happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections."
Trump added: "I wonder what the fake news would say of that."
More: MAGA's next leader? Trump says Vance is 'most likely' to lead in 2028
Trump previously took Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to see his hat collection when the Azerbaijan leader was at the White House on Aug. 8, according to video released at the time.
"You're not allowed to run," Trump said with a smile as he showed Aliyev a "Trump 2028" hat. "I'm 28 points higher than anybody else. Everybody wants me to run." Trump then pointed to the "Four more years hat," drawing laughs from Aliyev.
More: Trump says he can't run again in 2028: 5 takeaways from 'Meet the Press' interview
Serving a third presidential term is explicitly barred by the 22nd Amendment, which states, "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice."
Trump has said his vice president, JD Vance, is his "most likely" heir apparent to win the 2028 Republican nomination.
"It's too early, obviously, to talk about it, but, certainly, he's doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point," Trump said on Aug. 5. The president has also pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio among other possible contenders.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump shows his '4 more years' hat after meeting with Zelenskyy
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