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President Donald Trump unequivocally dismissed reports that he would seek four more years as president, confirming he would only be a “two-term president.”
During an exclusive interview with NBC News’s Meet the Press, the president told Kristen Welker he was “looking to have four great years,” and then “turn [the presidency] over to somebody” in 2028, ideally a “great Republican.”
“So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that,” he explained. “But it’s something, that to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.”
President Trump continued, “This is not something I’m looking to do. I’m looking to have four great years, and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican, to carry it forward.”
When pressed why some political allies have endorsed President Trump’s third term, with some even proposing changes to the 22nd Amendment, the president told Welker that its because “they like the job I’m doing.”
However, despite these calls, President Trump nonetheless maintained he was “not looking at” seeking a third term.
The president did maintain that, once he left the White House, the “MAGA movement” would survive without him leading because “it’s so strong” and filled with “tremendous people.”
He then named two potential successors: Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though this sort of speculation is still “far too early,” according to the president.
“I do have a vice president, and JD’s doing a fantastic job,” President Trump argued. “I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great.”
He added, “But certainly you would say that somebody’s the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage.”
In April, the Trump Organization began officially selling red “Trump 2028” hats, according to the New York Post, a move he potentially made to troll his critics.
The only president to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was four times elected.