President Donald Trump addressed the potential for a fourth presidential campaign during a CNBC interview, where he expressed conflicting statements about running again. While he initially said ‘probably not,’ he later affirmed his interest in running, citing strong poll numbers and support for his economic policies. The discussion touched on constitutional limits and historical precedents, with Trump suggesting he might run again despite the 22nd Amendment’s restrictions.
During the interview, Trump discussed the Bureau of Labor Statistics job numbers, which he claims were ‘rigged’ to inflate former President Joe Biden’s economic performance during the 2024 election. He also referenced his high vote count in Texas, which he claimed set a record that could only be surpassed if he ran again. CNBC anchor Joe Kernen initially challenged this claim but later admitted to the network fact-check that Trump indeed received the highest vote count in Texas.
Trump’s remarks on the 22nd Amendment, which limits a president to two terms, revealed his potential interest in a third term. He argued that if he were to take over as president via the vice presidency, he could serve only one more term, effectively allowing for a maximum of 10 years in office. This has sparked discussions about the possibility of amending the Constitution to allow for nonconsecutive terms, a concept some conservative circles have suggested.
Despite his previous distancing from a third term, Trump indicated that the strong support from the MAGA movement might allow him to run again, even if it means surpassing the 22nd Amendment’s limits. He floated potential successors like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signaling his consideration of a lasting political legacy beyond his current term.