What Did Trump Say About a Third Term?

President Donald Trump addressed the possibility of securing a third presidential term, on Monday.

Trump’s Comments: “I haven’t really thought about it. We have some very good people, as you know. But I’ve had the best poll numbers I’ve ever had.” Trump mentioned “great people” in the Republican Party that could run but also said, “I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever.” When asked if he was ruling out the possibility of a third term, he replied, “You’ll have to tell me. All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they [Democrats] don’t.” When asked if he could run for vice president to later secure a third presidential term, he said, “You’d be allowed to do that, but I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s -- it’s too cute… I think the people wouldn’t like that… It wouldn’t be right.”

For Context: Trump said he was “not joking” about the possibility of running for a third term during a March interview, noting, “There are methods which you could do it.” He said, “A lot of people want me to do it. But… it's very early in the administration,” adding, “I'm focused on the current.” In August, he said that he would “like to run” but probably would not.

How The Media Covered It: Media on the left focused more on the ambiguity of Trump’s response. ABC News’ (Lean Left bias) headline stated, “Trump refuses to rule out 3rd term,” and the outlet led with quotes from Trump that played into such a possibility. Coverage from the center was split. While The Hill’s (Center) headline stated that the president “would love” to run for a third term, Newsweek’s (Center) said, “Donald Trump Rules Out Running for Vice President in 2028: ‘Too Cute.’” Media on the right – similarly to Newsweek – highlighted Trump’s dismissal of a vice-presidential run. Fox News’ (Right) headline stated, “Trump answers whether he would run as vice presidential candidate in 2028.” The outlet referred to the back-and-forth between Trump and reporters as a “gaggle” and led with the president’s assertion that “Republicans already have ‘great’ prospective candidates.”

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