Just a month into his presidency, Donald Trump is already hinting at an extended stay in the White House. During the Republican Governors’ Dinner on Thursday night, he emphasized the importance of the 2026 midterm elections and boasted about raising a whopping $608 million in just three weeks. He suggested these funds could support “some of his friends” in their reelection bids.

But here’s where things get interesting. Trump mused about the possibility of a third term, saying, “So we’ve got that money, and I got to spend it somewhere, and they tell me I’m not allowed to run. I’m not sure. Is that true? I’m not sure.” For those keeping track, the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states that a person can’t be elected president more than twice. However, this hasn’t stopped Trump and his allies from floating the idea of a third term.

In January, Rep. Andy Ogles from Tennessee introduced a joint resolution aiming to amend the 22nd Amendment, allowing presidents to serve up to three terms. Ogles stated, “Trump has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness, and he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal.” While the proposal is a long shot, it highlights the lengths some supporters are willing to go to keep Trump in office.

Adding fuel to the fire, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), rallied the crowd with chants of “We want Trump in ’28.” Bannon proclaimed, “A man like Trump comes along only once or twice in the country’s history.” It’s clear that the idea of a third term has a dedicated fan base, even if the constitutional hurdles are significant.

Bannon also appeared to drop a Nazi salute, but that’s for another article.

Trump’s musings about extending his time in office aren’t new. In November, during a private meeting with the House Republican Conference, he joked about running for a third term, suggesting they could “figure something else out.” At the National Rifle Association convention in May, he pondered following in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s footsteps, asking, “Are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term?” While these comments might be off-the-cuff, they reflect a recurring theme in Trump’s rhetoric.

Despite the enthusiasm from his supporters, the path to a third term is fraught with challenges. Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate, followed by ratification from three-quarters of the states. Alternatively, a Constitutional Convention could be called, but this also demands support from two-thirds of the states, with any proposed changes needing approval from three-quarters of the states. In the current political climate, achieving such consensus seems unlikely.

In the meantime, Trump continues to test the waters, gauging public and political reactions to the idea of extending his presidency beyond the traditional two terms. Whether these musings are serious intentions or strategic provocations remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the conversation about a third term adds another layer of intrigue to an already eventful political landscape.

Trump: And they tell me I'm not allowed to run. I'm not sure. Is that true? I'm not sure pic.twitter.com/JpsdamshLE

— Acyn (@Acyn) February 21, 2025