Trump Acknowledges the Limit on a Third Term as His Popularity Falls in Polls

The president spoke about 2028 again, but this time acknowledged the constitutional barrier.

The more immediate challenge comes in November, with signs of declining support among key voters.

Donald Trump acknowledged that U.S. law imposes a strong limit on seeking a third presidential term, while an Economist/YouGov poll puts his approval rating at 39%, compared with 56% who disapprove of his performance.

• Why it matters: The discussion surrounding a hypothetical 2028 candidacy comes as Trump faces a much more immediate political challenge: reaching the November midterm elections with weakened approval.

Trump Admits “the Law Is Very Strong” on 2028

Trump was asked by a reporter Tuesday about the possibility of running for president again in 2028 and acknowledged the legal obstacle.

“Everybody asks me that question, and you know the law is very strong on that,” Trump responded from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. “I’d love to run, but the law is very strong,” according to comments reported by Fox News.

The president also said he had heard people shouting “2028” during the Patriot Games, but again emphasized the limit currently in place.

• The limit: The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution establishes that no person can be elected president more than twice.

The amendment was ratified in 1951, after Franklin D. Roosevelt broke with the U.S. presidential tradition by being elected four times.

Trump Has Kept the Conversation About a Third Term Open

The comments represent a different tone from Trump’s previous remarks about remaining in the White House after completing his second term.

In July, during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump joked about a third term before clarifying: “I’m just kidding.”

However, in a March 2025 interview with NBC, he said he was not “kidding” and claimed there were “methods” for trying to make it happen.

• The difference: Trump now directly acknowledges the strength of the legal limit, although he says he would like to run again.

The discussion about 2028 remains hypothetical.

Current constitutional rules prevent Trump from being elected president again.

Trump’s Approval Rating Shows Signs of Decline

While Trump answers questions about his political future, polls show difficulties in the present.

The Economist/YouGov poll cited in the source material puts his approval rating at 39%, while 56% disapprove of the way he is handling the presidency.

The data also show challenges among independents and younger voters, two important groups in an election where turnout can influence close races.

• By the numbers: The gap between approval and disapproval leaves Trump 17 points underwater in the overall balance.

These figures do not demonstrate that the decline is related to his comments about a third term.

They are two separate developments occurring at an important political moment.

November Will Be Trump’s Closest Test

Before any scenario involving 2028, Trump will have to contend with the political impact of the midterm elections, when voters will decide control of Congress and other important races.

Low presidential approval can become a factor in those contests, particularly among voters who do not strongly identify with either party.

• What’s next: The immediate test will be determining how much Trump’s standing among voters matters as Republicans try to defend their positions in November.

Thus, while the president keeps the conversation about a possible Trump third term alive, the electoral calendar puts a much closer question first: What impact will his current approval rating have on his party?

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SOURCE: FOX News, USA Today