Trump jokes he has the ‘right’ to run for a third term as president

But the US constitution unequivocally states that he cannot, which the president also seemed to acknowledge

Donald Trump joked with rally-goers on Thursday evening that he had “the right to run again” for president, invoking a claim he has repeatedly made that he may seek a third term despite it being unconstitutional.

“I don’t know who is going to be your next president and I think the law said, I’m not 100% sure, but I think the law says I’m not allowed to run again,” Trump said in Sioux City, Iowa.

Trump went on to seemingly acknowledge that the 22nd amendment prohibits presidents from seeking a third term but then invoked his familiar false claims that Democrats “stole” the 2020 presidential election from him.

“Well, the one thing is different: they cheated us on the second one because we won it three times. So I think I have the right to run again,” Trump said, laughing.

“I think I have the right to run again because they cheated,” Trump added with a coy smile, drawing applause from the crowd.

Trump has consistently teased that he will run again for president, which would be a direct violation of the US constitution.

In October 2025, Trump told reporters he “would love” to run for a third term. At a rally in Texas in February, the president told the crowd, “Maybe we should do one more term,” claiming he was “entitled” to it.

Last year, the Trump store started selling “Trump 2028” hats. The US president went as far as to wear one during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in July.

His allies have dismissed the president’s claims as a joke.

Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House, told reporters last year that Trump “has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats” with claims of a third term. Johnson said he didn’t see a way to amend the constitution to allow Trump to run again.

But opponents have raised concerns that Trump is being serious.

Trump himself has recognized the restrictions imposed by the US constitution.

Even during Thursday night’s rally, he said, “I’ve studied that phrase for ever. Unfortunately, it’s quite concise. There’s not a lot of wiggle room. It says something to the effect that ‘under no circumstances and for any reason will you even consider thinking about running for president if you had – ’.”

The president, who enjoys wide support thanks to his loyal Maga base, has urged supporters to vote as though he is on the ballot in November’s US midterm elections to help Republicans pick up more seats. The impact of this unconventional strategy remains to be seen as Trump’s approval ratings fall to new lows.