US President Donald Trump has once again stirred political waters with his trademark ambiguity, this time by publicly acknowledging that he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term even as “Trump 2028” hats sit boldly on his Oval Office desk.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on 29 October 2025, Trump told reporters, “I have my highest poll numbers that I’ve ever had, and you know, based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run, so we’ll see what happens… It’s too bad.” The statement, while seemingly resigned, was delivered with the kind of wink-and-nudge ambiguity that has become a hallmark of Trump’s political theatre.
The US Constitution’s 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly limits presidents to two terms. Trump’s second term began in January 2025, following his return to power after serving from 2017 to 2021.
Despite the constitutional ceiling, Trump has flirted with the idea of a third term not through formal declarations, but through symbolism and surrogates. Red caps bearing
“Trump 2028” have appeared on his desk, and former adviser Steve Bannon recently claimed, “There is a plan… Trump is going to be president in ’28.”
Bannon’s comments, made to The Economist, have reignited speculation among Trump loyalists, while drawing sharp rebuke from constitutional scholars and critics. “Asked about the 22nd Amendment… Bannon replied: ‘There are many different alternatives. At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is,’” the magazine reported.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican ally, poured cold water on the idea during a Capitol press briefing. “There is the 22nd Amendment,” he said. “While Trump enjoys teasing Democrats with ‘Trump 2028’ slogans and hats, the Constitution is explicit.”
Johnson added, “I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution because it takes about 10 years. You’d need two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states to ratify it. I don’t see the path for that.”
For Nigerians watching from afar, Trump’s political manoeuvres offer a lesson in constitutional resilience. The US system, despite its polarisation, has held firm on presidential term limits a contrast to some African democracies where constitutional amendments have been used to extend tenure.
Nigeria’s own democratic journey has seen debates around tenure elongation, most notably during the failed third term bid under President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006. The Trump episode serves as a reminder that even popular leaders must bow to constitutional boundaries.
Trump’s statement “It’s too bad” may sound like a lament, but it’s also a strategic signal. By keeping the idea of a third term alive in public discourse, he maintains political relevance and energises his base, even if the legal path is blocked.
