Donald Trump has ruled out running for vice-president in the 2028 US election, an unorthodox approach some supporters had floated to allow him to serve a third term, but said he would "love" to stay in office. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, the US president dismissed the idea as "too cute" and insisted it "wouldn't be right".
The US constitution's 22nd amendment prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice. Some of his allies had suggested that Trump could stand as vice-president alongside a candidate who would then resign, allowing Trump to assume the presidency once again. However, Trump said: "I wouldn't do that. I think it's too cute. Yeah, I would rule that out because it's too cute. I think the people wouldn't like that."
Pressed on whether he was ruling out a third term altogether, Trump said: "Am I not ruling it out? I mean you'll have to tell me." He added: "I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever." The president has previously teased the possibility with "Trump 2028" hats handed out at the White House.
Trump also praised Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying they were "great people" who could run for the office. "I think if they ever formed a group, it'd be unstoppable," he said. Meanwhile, former vice-president Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in November, has suggested she is considering another run for the White House in 2028.
Trump's comments came during a five-day trip to Asia, where he is attending trade summits and seeking an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said he expected to "come away with a deal", and also expressed a desire to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again.
