Former President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged that he has only a "little more than three years" remaining in his current term, a statement that directly contradicts his recent teasing of a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
Contradiction Between Social Media and Reality
The remarks, made during a White House Christmas party on Monday, 2 December 2025, drew laughter from attendees as Trump stated, "We have a little more than three years left and three years for Trump is an eternity." This stands in stark contrast to a post on his Truth Social platform from just days earlier.
On Saturday, 30 November, the president shared an AI-generated image of himself holding a sign that read "Trump 2028, yes!" This followed a pattern of him flirting with the idea of a third term, including the sale of $50 "Trump 2028" campaign merchandise, despite the constitutional barrier.
The 22nd Amendment and Political Allies' Views
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution explicitly prohibits any individual from being elected to the presidency more than twice. In October, when questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump initially declined to rule out another run, stating he "hadn't really thought about it" but would "love to do it."
However, when pressed on the legalities, including a potential loophole involving running as vice president, Trump called the idea "too cute." He later conceded that the Constitution makes it "pretty clear" he is "not allowed" to run again after his current term expires in January 2027.
This admission was echoed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who stated he and Trump had discussed the "constraints of the Constitution," effectively pouring cold water on the 2028 speculation.
Bannon's Unwavering Insistence on a Path Forward
Despite Trump's and Johnson's acknowledgements, key ally Steve Bannon has continued to insist a path exists. The conservative podcaster claimed in October that "there is a plan" for Trump to be president in 2028.
More recently, on his 'War Room' show, Bannon argued that "you can drive a Mack truck through the 22nd Amendment," citing advice from a "top constitutional lawyer." This creates a public divergence between the president's stated understanding of the law and the narrative pushed by some within his political circle.
The back-and-forth highlights the ongoing tension between Trump's campaign-style rhetoric and the constitutional term limits that have defined American presidential politics for decades.
