The Trump Organisation has launched a new line of merchandise: a red cap emblazoned with the words “Trump 2028.” The $50 hats, now available for purchase, are raising eyebrows as they seem to hint at a potential presidential run for Donald Trump in 2028.
A Third Term? Trump Not Joking
Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, has already hinted that his tenure in the White House might not be over. In an interview with NBC, Trump said, “I’m not joking… a lot of people want me to do it,” when asked about the possibility of running for a third term.
But the US Constitution, under the 22nd Amendment, strictly limits presidents to two terms in office. It states, “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice.” Trump’s remarks and his merchandise release draw attention to the idea of a third term, a notion that many legal experts and critics repeatedly dismiss.
Trump, who will be 82 years old at the end of a second term, was questioned about the gruelling nature of the presidency. His response was simple: “Well, I like working.” The US 22nd Amendment, however, remains clear on the matter, barring any further elected terms after two.
The “Trump 2028” Hat and What It Implies
Despite the constitutional limitations, the release of the “Trump 2028” hat has sent a message to his supporters. Available in the Trump Organisation’s online store, the cap is priced at $50 and features a bold slogan suggesting a future beyond his second term. The listing includes a picture of Eric Trump wearing the hat, with the tagline, “The future looks bright!”
This move comes just months after Trump himself made headlines in January, when he told supporters, “It would be the greatest honour of my life to serve not once, but twice, three times, or four times.” He later dismissed the comment as a joke aimed at the “fake news media,” but his more recent statements about a third term have made it clear that the idea is not entirely off the table.
Legal Experts Weigh In
The 22nd Amendment is explicit in its prohibition of a third presidential term. Some of Trump’s supporters, however, have floated the idea of exploiting a supposed “loophole” in the Constitution. This theory suggests that while the amendment bans a third term as president, it does not prevent a person from being elected as vice president, even after serving two terms.
According to this theory, Trump could theoretically run as a vice-presidential candidate in 2028, potentially alongside a candidate like JD Vance. If they win, the president could resign immediately, and Trump would assume the presidency through succession.
However, legal experts dismiss this notion. “I don’t think there’s any ‘one weird trick’ to getting around presidential term limits,” said Derek Muller, a professor of election law at the University of Notre Dame. He further clarified that the 12th Amendment disqualifies any person constitutionally ineligible to the presidency from running as vice president.
Jeremy Paul, a constitutional law professor at Northeastern University, echoed this sentiment, stating there are “no credible legal arguments” for a third term.
Republican Pushback
While Trump’s rhetoric has drawn mixed reactions within his own party, there are Republicans who oppose the idea of a third term. Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma expressed his disagreement in February, saying, “I’m not changing the constitution, first of all, unless the American people choose to do that.”
Similarly, Representative Tom Cole called the notion “too fanciful to really discuss seriously.” However, not everyone rejects the idea universally. In January, Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to allow presidents to serve up to three non-consecutive terms. While the proposal has gained attention, it faces insurmountable obstacles. A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, and support from three-quarters of state legislatures—an exceedingly difficult feat.
Democratic and Legal Opposition
Democrats fiercely oppose Trump’s suggestion of a third term. Representative Daniel Goldman, who served as lead counsel during Trump’s first impeachment, criticised the idea, saying, “This is yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy.” He added that if Republicans are serious about the Constitution, they should oppose Trump’s ambitions.
Legal scholars are similarly sceptical. The only president to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms during the 1930s and early 1940s, and his presidency resulted in the passage of the 22nd Amendment in 1951. Roosevelt’s tenure, during the Great Depression and World War II, set the precedent for the two-term limit now enshrined in law.
Can Trump Really Get a Third Term?
While Trump’s “Trump 2028” cap and his remarks about a third term continue to fuel speculation and rally his supporters, the legal and constitutional roadblocks are clear. The 22nd Amendment stands firm, and it would appear no amount of rhetoric or strategic maneuvering seems likely to overturn it.
