Trump Hints at Running for Third Term Amid Low Approval Ratings

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump indicated that he would like to run for a third term in office, despite the U.S. Constitution’s limitation of presidents to two elected terms. Speaking to journalists, Trump cited his polling numbers as evidence of public support for another presidential run.

Trump’s comments came during an interview in which he shared his thoughts on his approval ratings. Despite a tumultuous few weeks at the start of his current term, he remarked, “A lot of people would like me to [run again].” Recent polling data suggest that his net approval rating has improved slightly since his return to the White House.

According to USA TODAY, as of March, 43% of respondents approved of Trump’s job performance, up from 42% during the same period in 2017. However, experts note that, while the numbers indicate a modest gain, they still represent some of the lowest approval ratings in modern presidential history.

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1951, explicitly prohibits any individual from being elected to the presidency for more than two terms. Historical amendments to the Constitution are challenging to implement, requiring a two-thirds majority approval in both the House and Senate or significant state support to initiate a constitutional convention.

In an unusual suggestion, Trump posited a scenario where he could assume the presidency again if Vice President Kamala Harris were to run for office and subsequently hand the role back to him. “No matter how you look at it, you’ve got a long time to go,” he told NBC, emphasizing that there is nearly four years until the next election. He concluded his remarks by stating, “So many people are saying, ‘You’ve got to run again.'”

Riley Beggin contributed to this report. Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on social media @kinseycrowley.