Washington, October 27, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed the idea of running for vice president in the 2028 presidential election, rejecting suggestions from some of his supporters that such a move could allow him to serve another term in office.
“I’d be allowed to do that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “But I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute. I think the people wouldn’t like that. It wouldn’t be right.”
The comments mark Trump’s clearest rejection yet of a proposal that has circulated among some allies, who argue that he could legally return to power by serving as vice president under another Republican president who would then step aside.
Under the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, no individual can be elected to the presidency more than twice. Constitutional scholars have widely disputed the legality of the workaround, calling it a clear violation of both the letter and spirit of the amendment.
Trump has previously fueled speculation about a potential third term by joking about it during rallies and even distributing “Trump 2028” hats. “I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever,” he said on Monday when asked about the possibility of a third run, though he stopped short of explicitly ruling it out.
When pressed by reporters, Trump responded ambiguously: “Am I not ruling it out? I mean, you’ll have to tell me.”
The president also praised Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggesting they could be future contenders for the Republican nomination. “I think if they ever formed a group, it’d be unstoppable,” Trump said.
Trump, who returned to the White House in 2025 after defeating Democratic challenger Gavin Newsom, remains a dominant figure in U.S. politics as discussions about the post-Trump Republican landscape begin to take shape.
