This past Saturday, Donald Trump once again made his familiar jest about a potential presidential run in 2028. Speaking at the rescheduled annual White House Correspondents' dinner, he donned a red cap emblazoned with "TRUMP 2028," drawing chuckles that reportedly dwindled as he continued his speech.
"I'm here to declare my intention for a fourth presidential term. I've won three times and will do it again," Trump quipped to the audience, echoing a line he had tested just days before.
The Running Gag Continues
It wasn't the first time that week. On Wednesday, July 23, during an event at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, Trump teased, "I'm here to announce my candidacy," only to follow up with, "just kidding." According to EFE, the former president repeated this gag at least twice more in public appearances that same week.
Trump's jest hinges on his persistent refusal to acknowledge his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 elections, continuously alleging electoral fraud despite lacking evidence. By claiming victory in 2020, he counts three presidential wins—2016, 2020, and 2024—and thus references a "fourth term."
Constitutional Hurdles
Nevertheless, this joke runs up against an insurmountable constitutional barrier: the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1951, prevents any individual from being elected president more than twice. Trump, now 80, is serving his second term (2025-2029) after his first stint from 2017 to 2021.
Amending this would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress and the ratification by three-fourths of the states—38 out of 50—a process experts deem virtually impossible. Republican Congressman Andy Ogles has floated a proposal to this effect, but it has stalled in Congress.
Event Rescheduling and Reactions
The Saturday dinner was a rescheduled version of the original April 2026 event, postponed after a shooting incident near the Washington Hilton prompted an evacuation of Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. The Correspondents' Association had pledged to reschedule the event within 30 days.
Various media outlets characterized Trump's speech as lengthy and combative, with jokes that "largely fell flat." It's not the first time Trump has toyed with the notion of extending his stay in power; since January 2025, he has frequently alluded to a third term, and in February 2026, he sidestepped questions about remaining in office beyond 2029.
Last June, Trump discussed potential Republican candidates to succeed him, citing Marco Rubio and JD Vance as 2028 options, a contrast to his ongoing jokes about indefinitely holding office.
FAQs on Trump's Presidential Ambitions
Why does Trump claim to have won three times?
Trump claims victory in the 2020 election despite losing to Joe Biden, alleging without evidence that the election was fraudulent. He counts this alongside his 2016 and purported 2024 wins as three victories.
What does the 22nd Amendment say about presidential terms?
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits any person to be elected as President of the United States more than twice.
Has there been any serious attempt to change the 22nd Amendment?
While Congressman Andy Ogles has proposed a change to the amendment, it has not gained traction in Congress, making any serious attempts unlikely.