Seoul: US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, acknowledged that he could not run for a third term in the White House, stating it was “pretty clear” due to the constraints imposed by the US Constitution’s 22nd Amendment.

According to TRTworld.com, Trump’s concession comes after months of speculation and comments that fueled discussions about a potential third term. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, explicitly limits individuals to two presidential terms. Legal experts have consistently rejected the feasibility of a third Trump term, citing the amendment’s unambiguous language and the Supreme Court’s historical reluctance to challenge fundamental constitutional provisions.

Despite this, Trump’s remarks have kept the conversation alive, particularly after he hinted at “methods” for an additional term during a March interview with NBC News, later clarifying it as a jest. Recently, Trump expressed a desire to run again but recognized the constitutional barriers, dismissing the idea of a vice-presidential role as a strategic return path.

Trump identified Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors, describing them as “unstoppable.” Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close Trump ally, dismissed the notion of Trump pursuing a third term, emphasizing the constitutional amendment’s clarity and the GOP’s apprehension over potential constitutional overreach.

Nonetheless, Steve Bannon, a prominent MAGA commentator and former White House adviser, asserted in a recent interview with The Economist that plans exist for Trump to seek a third term in 2028. Bannon’s influence in MAGA circles lends weight to his words, despite his lack of formal power in the current administration.

While Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee proposed an amendment to permit Trump a third term, the measure has stalled. The Trump Organization has also embraced the notion, releasing merchandise with “Trump 2028” branding, including a digitally created video of Trump tossing a hat to Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

As Air Force One neared Incheon, Trump shifted focus to lighter topics, indicating a temporary resolution to the constitutional question. Trump’s visit to Seoul, the first by a US president in three years, aims to address trade and security matters amid North Korean tensions, although political ripples from Washington persist.

In the US, the 2028 presidential race is already taking shape. Democratic contenders like California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris have expressed interest in running, with their ambitions often circling back to Trump’s formidable presence in American politics.

“He (Trump) has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats,” Speaker Johnson noted, highlighting Trump’s continued influence in the political arena.