Donald Trump third term as US President: Republican says he ‘would love’ to run, fuelling wild speculation

US President Donald Trump is doing little, potentially the least, to quash speculation he could seek a third-term presidency, something the US Constitution forbids.

On Monday, while travelling to Japan on Air Force One, Mr Trump spoke about his “best poll” numbers and that he “would love” to run in 2028, and took to Truth Social to again claim he won the 2020 US presidential election, the election former US President Joe Biden won.

“Am I not ruling it out? You’ll have to tell me, Mr Trump told reporters who asked him if he would run in 2028.

“I have the best poll numbers I’ve ever had.

“I’ve just solved eight wars and a ninth is coming. I believe Russia-Ukraine will happen.

“When you look at the treaty we just did (Thailand-Cambodia), that was a war. Thousands of people were already shot at the border.

“If you look at what we just did, it was pretty amazing.”

Speaking about ending wars, something Mr Trump said made him “feel good”, the US President gave thanks to the Malaysian Prime Minister for his role in securing the peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia.

If Trump doesn’t run in 2028, who would?

Talking about “great” Republican people, Mr Trump named US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Vice President JD Vance, saying he was not sure “if anyone would run against us”, in a 2028 US presidential election.

He named multiple Democrats that he speculates could consider running, saying they have “low IQ”.

Mr Trump also mentioned a recent MRI he had as part of his yearly health check-up, saying his result was “perfect”.

“If I didn’t think it was going to be good.... I wouldn’t run. I’d do something, but... the doctors said some of the best reports for the age. some of the best reports they’ve ever seen,” Mr Trump said.

Trump rules out running as Vice President

Mr Trump said he “would be allowed” to run for the vice presidency in another election, a popular theory amongst those speculating he may try and stay in the White House. However, on this occasion, Mr Trump ruled that option out.

“I wouldn’t do it. I think it’s too cute. I would rule that out. I don’t think the people would like that. It’s too cute.”

Can Donald Trump run for a third term?

Since before his reelection, Mr Trump has fanned the flames of rumoured theories that he will try and stay in the White House longer than many think he is welcome.

In the past, only one US President has served more than two terms. Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms between 1933 and 1945.

His historic 12-year hold over the White House saw Congress pass the 22nd amendment of the United States Constitution, with a change limiting a US President to just two terms.

Section one of the amendment says: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.”

Some speculate Mr Trump could find another way to get around the two-term limit.

The US Constitution can be changed. However, doing so, to change the limit on presidential terms, would require support from the Senate, the House of Representatives and three-quarters of state-level governments.

Although Republicans hold the House and the Senate, they do not have the numbers needed to push through the change without Democrat support.

Some Trump advisers have said Mr Trump will be the US President in 2028; however, they say they will only reveal this at an “appropriate time.”

Who could run as Democratic presidential nominee in 2028?

Although Mr Trump’s comments about politicians not wanting to run against Republicans in a 2028 US Presidential election are likely humour, a clear front runner to lead the Democrats remains in limbo.

Mr Trump’s comments come after former US Vice President, and 2024 Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris told the BBC “I’m not done”.

“I have lived my entire career a life of service and it’s in my bones. And there are many ways to serve,” she said.

“I’ve never listened to polls.”

“If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office - and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here.”

Other than Ms Harris, Democrat names including California Governor Gavin Newsom, former US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro continue to have their names ran amongst the rumour mill.