Trump says US law bars him from third term, calls it ‘too bad’

President Donald Trump has said that U.S. law does not allow him to run for a third term, calling it “too bad.” He commented while talking to reporters on Air Force One on his way to South Korea for the APEC Summit.

“If you read it, it’s pretty clear, I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad,” Trump said. “I have my highest poll numbers ever, but I guess I’m not allowed to run, so we’ll see what happens.”

His comments came a day after he ruled out running for vice president in the 2028 election but did not fully close the door on staying active in politics. When asked about being a vice-presidential candidate, Trump said he could legally do that, but added that he wouldn’t. “I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute,” he said. “Yeah, I would rule that out because it’s too cute. I think the people wouldn’t like that.”

Trump also claimed to have “the best numbers” in polls and said he had “solved eight wars.” His remarks show that he remains proud of his popularity and support among his base, even though he cannot serve another term as president.

The U.S. Constitution clearly limits a president to two terms in office. This rule was added in 1951 through the 22nd Amendment, which says that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” This means no one can be elected president more than two times, no matter how popular they are.

The rule was made after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times between 1932 and 1944. He died a few months into his fourth term, and soon after, lawmakers added the two-term limit to prevent any president from staying in power too long. Experts say it would be almost impossible for Trump or anyone else to legally change that rule. To do so, the 22nd Amendment would have to be removed or changed, which would require a new amendment passed by two-thirds of Congress and approved by three-fourths of the states.

Law professor Ellen Rosenberg from Georgetown University said, “The courts can’t just cancel an amendment. If Trump wanted to run again, the Constitution itself would have to be changed, which is extremely unlikely.”

Although Trump knows he cannot legally run again, his comments have restarted talk about his political future. Many of his supporters still see him as the strongest voice in the Republican Party, and his popularity among conservatives remains very high. Analysts believe Trump uses such remarks to keep his supporters excited and to stay in the public spotlight.

Political expert David Caldwell said, “Trump likes to stay in the spotlight. When he talks about things he can’t do, it reminds his followers how much they still want him. It’s a clever political move.”

Trump’s trip to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit is part of his effort to focus on global trade and security. During his visit, he is expected to meet regional leaders and discuss U.S. relations with Asian countries, including trade, technology, and defense cooperation.

This is not the first time Trump has mentioned the idea of a third term. During his first presidency from 2017 to 2021, he sometimes joked about serving more than two terms. Those jokes often caused debates among critics and supporters.

After his latest comments, social media platforms were filled with discussions and hashtags like #TrumpThirdTerm and #22ndAmendment, as people debated whether he was serious or just teasing. Some supporters said he was only expressing frustration with the law, while others accused him of testing democratic boundaries again.

Trump’s recent statement makes it clear that he understands U.S. law prevents him from running for a third term. Still, by mentioning his high poll numbers and popularity, he continues to keep his name at the center of political conversations. While the 22nd Amendment ensures that no president can serve more than two terms, Trump’s influence over his party and supporters will likely continue shaping American politics for years to come.