Trump speaks out on potential third term
US President Donald Trump has ruled out running for office for a third term, suggesting he would like 'a great Republican' to succeed him.
The president made the remarks on Sunday in an interview with NBC News when asked about repeated suggestions he might seek reelection. Such a move would require a major overhaul of the US electoral system, given the presidential terms are limited to two only by the US Constitution.
Trump claimed that while 'many people' want him to run for office again, he will not seek reelection. He also appeared to question the nature of the restrictions on the number of terms.
'So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that. But it's something that, to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do. I don't know if that's constitutional, that they're not allowing you to do it or anything else,' he said.
The earlier remarks on the matter sparked fears that Trump could ultimately opt to rewire the whole US electoral system to try and stay in power. Multiple high-profile Republicans, however, have insisted the president was only joking about a third turn.
The concerns were reinforced by the emergence of a new line of 'TRUMP 2028' merchandise on his official campaign store last month. The store offers baseball caps and T-shirts, featuring 'TRUMP 2028' and 'Rewrite the Rules' slogans.
The US president appeared to distance himself from the merchandise despite its availability at his official store.
'There are many people selling the 2028 hat, but this is not something I'm looking to do. I'm looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody. Ideally, a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward. But I think we're going to have four years and I think four years is plenty of time to do something really spectacular,' he said.
Asked about a potential successor, Trump said it was too early to endorse one. The US administration and the Republican Party have several prominent individuals to pick from, the president suggested.
'I think [the party is] so strong, and I think we have tremendous people. I think we have a tremendous group of people. We talked about a number of them. You look at Marco. You look at J.D. Vance, who's fantastic. You look at I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here,' he said.
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