In a move that has alarmed both political insiders and constitutional scholars, a former senior advisor to Donald Trump has publicly warned that the former president may actively pursue a third term in office — a clear defiance of the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment.
While the idea of Trump running for office again in 2028 may seem implausible due to legal constraints, those closest to the former president say it's not off the table. The warning comes from someone who once worked within Trump’s inner circle and claims the groundwork is quietly being laid for a narrative that could challenge the two-term presidential limit.
A Dangerous Trial Balloon
In a recent podcast appearance, the anonymous former advisor — who served in Trump’s administration during his first term — said, “There are people around him, including high-profile strategists, who are whispering that the American people should decide, not the Constitution. They’re treating the 22nd Amendment as if it were optional.”
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." Yet Trump has increasingly dropped suggestive comments at rallies and private events, joking that he deserves "another four years, maybe even eight," often cloaked in humor, but according to insiders, laced with intent.
Seeds of Authoritarianism?
This isn't the first time Trump has teased a third term. During his presidency, he often jokingly referred to “maybe sticking around for 12 more years.” At the time, critics dismissed it as bravado. But now, with Trump actively campaigning for a second non-consecutive term in 2024 and positioning himself as the “only one who can fix” the country, some of his closest advisors appear to be testing the political winds.
Steve Bannon, one of Trump’s earliest and most provocative strategists, has been especially vocal. In recent speeches and podcasts, Bannon has floated ideas of constitutional loopholes and “mandates from the people” that could justify an attempt at a third term. He has even suggested that if Trump were to win in 2024, his administration could move to “reinterpret” term limits as a matter of political choice rather than legal restriction.
Constitutional Crisis Brewing?
Legal scholars have dismissed such suggestions as fantasy, though many caution against underestimating the seriousness of the rhetoric. “This is not just Trump being Trump,” said Dr. Elaine Marshall, a constitutional law professor at Georgetown University. “This is a calculated effort to erode public respect for constitutional boundaries.”
The U.S. Constitution does not merely discourage a third presidential term; it forbids it. A third run for office after two terms would almost certainly be challenged in court and result in a constitutional showdown — one that could escalate political tensions to dangerous levels.
“Trump doesn’t need to succeed to do damage,” Marshall added. “He only needs to convince a portion of the public that the rules don’t matter. That’s how democracies backslide.”
The 2028 Strategy: Disruption or Delusion?
While Trump has not officially announced plans beyond 2024, some political analysts believe the current messaging is a deliberate part of his strategy. According to political consultant Ryan Keller, this is less about a real third-term attempt and more about positioning Trump as the indispensable figure in conservative politics.
“He wants to be seen as the eternal leader of the MAGA movement,” Keller said. “Even if he can’t legally serve again, keeping the door open — or appearing to — helps him maintain control over the Republican Party long-term.”
Keller notes that the mere discussion of a third term also serves a darker purpose: to normalize the idea that constitutional constraints are flexible, particularly if “the people want it.”
Reaction From Both Sides
The response from Democrats has been swift. House Minority Leader Jasmine Cruz called Trump’s remarks “an outright attack on constitutional order,” while Senate Majority Leader Mark Dreyfus warned, “This is how autocracies begin — not with tanks, but with jokes about ignoring the law.”
Republicans, however, are more divided. While traditional conservatives like Sen. Mitt Romney and Rep. Liz Cheney have condemned the rhetoric, others have deflected or dismissed it. Sen. Josh Hawley, when pressed, said, “I think he’s just joking. People need to lighten up.”
Still, the idea is gaining traction in far-right circles online. Hashtags like #Trump2028 and #Repeal22 have begun circulating among Trump’s base, suggesting there is at least a small but vocal segment of Americans open to the idea.
What Happens If He Tries?
If Trump were to pursue a third term after a theoretical second win in 2024, it would likely require one of two extreme scenarios: either a constitutional amendment repealing the 22nd Amendment — an unlikely outcome given the high bar for such changes — or an attempt to override the amendment through executive power or public pressure, sparking a major legal battle.
Either route would set a dangerous precedent and likely cause mass unrest, according to political scientists. “No president in modern history has tried to override this kind of democratic guardrail,” said political historian Donna Weyland. “If Trump does, it could tear the country apart.”
Conclusion: More Than a Sideshow
The talk of a third Trump term might seem like political theater — yet as recent history has shown, ideas that once seemed absurd can quickly morph into action when enough people buy in.
Trump's former advisor summed it up best: “He’s not joking. And even if he is, his followers aren’t.”
In a nation still reeling from the constitutional chaos of 2020 and the Capitol riot of January 6, even the suggestion of a third term is more than a punchline. It’s a warning.
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