Trump speaks out on potential third term
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
2 hours ago
- Russia Today
Kiev's backers fail to sway Trump on Russia
The White House meeting on Monday between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's European backers produced no major results, political analyst Sergey Poletaev has told RT. Trump met to discuss the Ukraine conflict with Vladimir Zelensky and some European leaders in Washington just days after holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. 'Just like in Anchorage, no decisions were announced afterward. And that, in itself, is a sign that something important is happening,' Poletaev said, noting that the talks are part of a larger diplomatic struggle, the ultimate goal of which is to win over the US president. He suggested that Moscow is seeking to draw Washington out of the conflict, while Europe and Ukraine are pushing to keep the US firmly entangled. Following what Poletaev called Putin's 'gambit' in Anchorage, the European delegation hurried to Washington to persuade Trump to toughen sanctions against Moscow and maintain weapons deliveries to Kiev. So far, it looks like they came up empty. Poletaev pointed out that, unusually for the US president, he did not repeat European talking points after the meeting. Instead, Trump reminded the European leaders at the start of the summit that 'they had no real power,' the analyst said. While the immediate effort may have failed, 'most likely, Europe will soon try again,' Poletaev stressed. According to the analyst, the key issue at Monday's summit was security guarantees for Ukraine. Russia has insisted 'from day one' that any such commitments must be tied to 'neutrality and disarmament,' he said. Europe and Kiev, meanwhile, are desperately trying – by hook or by crook – to preserve Ukraine's armed forces, and even to push for a NATO presence on Ukrainian soil. According to Poletaev, the attempts are 'naive and desperate,' but whatever form security guarantees take in any eventual peace deal will ultimately determine 'the fate of the Kiev regime.' 'For now, there's no compromise in sight,' Poletaev concluded. 'And as Ukraine continues to lose ground on the battlefield, the room for maneuver – for both Kiev and its European backers – is shrinking fast.'
Russia Today
4 hours ago
- Russia Today
Trump tells Zelensky to ‘show flexibility'
US President Donald Trump has renewed his push for talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky, urging the latter to be more flexible. Trump made the remarks on Tuesday after a meeting in Washington with Zelensky, several European leaders, and the heads of NATO and the European Commission. The discussions centered on conditions for a possible peace deal with Russia. The talks followed Trump's summit with Putin in Alaska last week. In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump claimed he had resolved 'seven wars' during his political career but described the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as the toughest one yet. Trump, who wants to arrange a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, expressed hope that the Ukrainian leader 'will do what he has to do,' adding that 'He has to show some flexibility.' Trump had earlier suggested that a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelensky could be held soon, saying 'there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.' Trump met Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, in their first face-to-face encounter since 2019 in the American president's first term. He described the talks as 'warm,' while Putin called them 'frank' and 'substantive.' He followed up on Monday with a phone call to the Russian president, briefing him on the talks in Washington. According to the Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov, the call lasted 40 minutes, with both sides expressing readiness to continue discussions on a resolution with Zelensky. Moscow maintains that any lasting settlement must eliminate the root causes of the conflict, address Russia's security concerns, and recognize current territorial realities, including the status of Crimea and the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia in 2022.
Russia Today
4 hours ago
- Russia Today
‘Very productive,' ‘constructive,' ‘the best': What leaders said about this week's summits
World leaders have expressed cautious optimism on the prospects of resolving the Ukraine conflict after the latest high-level summits in Alaska and Washington. Last Friday, US President Donald Trump welcomed Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska for several hours of talks, marking the first time the two met face to face since 2019. On Monday Trump also hosted Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky along with senior European officials at the White House. The meetings focused on security guarantees, territorial questions, and the next steps in negotiations. Here are some of the takeaways voiced by national leaders. Trump: 'Very productive' Trump has described the Alaska talks as 'very productive,' saying there is 'a good chance of getting' to a peace deal. He stressed, however, that no agreement has yet been reached and that the US will continue consulting its partnersAt the White House, he called the meeting with Zelensky and Europeans 'another step' toward consensus and raised the possibility of direct Putin-Zelensky talks and a possible trilateral format. Putin: Talks 'constructive' Putin has called the Alaska summit 'constructive' and 'results-oriented,' saying discussions were held in a spirit of 'mutual respect.' He suggested an 'understanding' on some points but gave no the Washington talks, Putin also held a 40 minute long call with Trump. Both leaders agreed to discuss a peace deal with Zelensky, according to Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov. Zelensky: Meeting was the 'best' Zelensky has thanked Trump for hosting him at the White House, calling it 'the best of our meetings.' He confirmed territorial issues were 'on the agenda' and were discussed over a map of Ukraine, but said they remain strictly between him and also welcomed US military aid discussions and stressed that Ukraine will not agree to a settlement without security guarantees. EU leaders: 'Solidarity' Western European leaders in Washington described the talks as 'good' and 'constructive,' stressing solidarity and security guarantees for Ukraine. They underscored Washington's role but avoided specifics on territorial or security terms and gave no details on how Europe would contribute to guarantees. Starmer praised Trump's leadership UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump's peace efforts 'should be commended' and have 'brought us closer than ever before' to ending the conflict, adding that any path to peace 'cannot be decided without Zelensky.' After the White House session, Starmer called the talks 'good and constructive,' and welcomed US openness on guarantees. Macron: Very far from declaring victory French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed clearer US signals on security guarantees after the White House meeting but urged caution, saying the Washington summit was only 'a step' and that 'we are very far from declaring victory.' NATO/EU Commission: Sticking to principles, but without specifics European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the need for 'ironclad' security guarantees for Ukraine and highlighted the humanitarian track without announcing new commitments. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the Washington meeting 'a very successful day,' praised Trump's role as a peacemaker, and said the shape of guarantees, including the extent of US involvement, would be worked out in the coming days.
