'I'll be an eight-year president': Trump weighs in on third-term speculation

President Donald Trump offered his clearest indication yet that he will leave the White House at the end of his second term without trying to extend his stay, acknowledging the constraints preventing him from seeking a third term in an exclusive interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

Trump also highlighted several other rising stars in the Republican Party he said are capable of carrying the MAGA mantle after he’s finished as the GOP’s elected leader, mentioning not only Vice President JD Vance but also Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has become a central player in his second administration.

“I’ll be an eight-year president; I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important,” Trump told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday.

Trump told Welker in March that he was “not joking” about his consideration of a third run, and he said again in his latest interview that he’s received strong requests from allies to run again. Despite those entreaties, Trump told Welker, he’s aware of the realities standing in the way.

“It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do. I don’t know if that’s constitutional that they’re not allowing you to do it or anything else,” Trump said.

The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment says, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Amending the Constitution to abolish that limit would be extremely difficult, requiring the support of either two-thirds of both the House and Senate or two-thirds of state legislatures. Both routes would then require ratification from three-quarters of the states.Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced a House joint resolution in January seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the president to be elected for up to three terms, a legislative effort that so far has seen little movement. Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York, who served as lead counsel during Trump’s first impeachment, introduced a resolution in response urging his colleagues to reaffirm the 22nd Amendment’s prohibition on a third term.

Trump told Welker he has had no official meetings specifically about establishing a pathway for a third term, but he’s heard “different concepts” about potential options — including a legally dubious strategy in which Vance would seek the presidency and then pass the role on to Trump.

"Other people say, 'You can have a write-in vote,'" Trump added, despite the constitutional limitation.

Talk of a potential third Trump term reached a fever pitch last month after the Trump Organization, led in part by the president’s two adult sons, began selling Trump 2028-branded red hats. The hats were listed for $50 with the description: “The future looks bright! Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat.”

Despite that description — and its pointed reference to “rewrite the rules” — Trump said his aim is to ultimately pass the torch ahead of the next presidential election.

“There are many people selling the 2028 hat,” Trump said. “But this is not something I’m looking to do. I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward.”

Among the GOP stars Trump said can take charge of the MAGA brand — which he described as the greatest political movement in history — is Vance, who Trump suggested would likely have an advantage over other competitors in a Republican primary for the top job. Welker asked if Vance would be “at the top of the list” as his successor, and Trump praised his vice president without making any commitments.

“It could very well be,” Trump said, before adding, “I don’t want to get involved in that. I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great.”

He also emphasized that such discussions are “far too early.”

“But certainly you would say that somebody’s the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage,” Trump said.

Trump has declined to be drawn into endorsing or labeling Vance as his anointed successor, while still showering him with praise over his work. In February, Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier that Vance is “very capable” but that he did not necessarily view Vance as his successor.

Trump also named Rubio as a “great” potential GOP leader. Trump’s confidence in the former Florida senator is reflected in Rubio’s wide portfolio in the administration: He’s been tapped by the president to serve as the acting head of the National Archives, acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and, most recently, national security adviser — replacing Michael Waltz, whom Trump instead said he would nominate to be ambassador to the United Nations.

“Marco’s doing an outstanding job,” Trump said when the interview turned to Waltz. He added that while he does not expect Rubio to remain in his newest role in the “long term,” he’s in no rush to replace him.

“Now, Marco won’t keep — Marco’s very busy doing other things, so he’s not going to keep it long term. We’re going to put somebody else in,” Trump said, though he later noted that Henry Kissinger served as both secretary of state and national security adviser, adding: “Henry Kissinger did both. There’s a theory that you don’t need two people. But I think I have some really great people that could do a good job.”

Asked by Welker if Rubio could continue in both jobs “indefinitely,” Trump said: “He could, yeah. He could. But I think he even would like to probably see — because it is a little bit different. But in the meantime, he’ll handle it.”

The field of “tremendous” Republicans Trump said could emerge as 2028 front-runners, a group that he said includes as many as 20 people, does not appear to be a chief concern for the president months into his second term. He suggested to Welker that he’s much more focused on a more immediate election, the 2026 midterms, in which Republicans will have to fight historical odds to maintain control of both chambers of Congress.

Backlash against Trump’s swift use of executive authority to reshape the federal government — from targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to imposing new tariffs on dozens of countries — have weighed on the GOP politically, with Trump’s approval ratings steadily declining through his first 100 days.

The economic consequences of the tariffs in particular appear to be politically damaging, with Trump’s handling of tariffs earning him especially low marks compared to other issues in recent public surveys, including CNBC and NBC News Stay Tuned polls.

Trump told Welker he plans to play a “very active” role in the midterm cycle, especially through his fundraising prowess. He downplayed concerns that his agenda may cost Republicans one or both chambers of Congress.

“If you look, it’s pretty consistent that whoever wins the presidency ends up losing the House, losing the Senate. I think we’re going to turn that around. I think we’re going to turn it around easy,” Trump said.