Trump Confirms He Cannot Seek 2028 Presidency, Cites Constitutional Limit

U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out a third-term bid, citing the constitutional restriction that limits presidents to two terms.

Speaking on Wednesday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump acknowledged the 22nd Amendment, which bars any president from serving more than two terms.

“I have my highest poll numbers ever, and based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run, so we’ll see what happens… It’s too bad,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.

Trump, 79, who served from 2017 to 2021, has long fueled speculation about the possibility of extending his tenure beyond two terms. Recently, he drew attention by displaying red hats with the slogan “Trump 2028” in the Oval Office. He dismissed suggestions that this indicated a potential run, saying it was “pretty clear” he could not run again while praising other leaders in the party.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also emphasized the constitutional constraints, noting that amending the 22nd Amendment would require “at least a decade, two-thirds of Congress, and three-fourths of the states,” making a third-term bid highly unlikely.

Speculation around a third term intensified after Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon claimed there “is a plan” to keep Trump in the White House in 2028. However, both Trump and congressional leaders reaffirmed that the constitutional limit remains binding.