President Donald Trump has finally put the rumors to rest about a possible third bid for the White House. In an August 6 interview with CNBC, Trump said he will “probably not” run again after his current term ends — despite months of speculation, public pressure, and chatter about potential legal loopholes.
“No, probably not, probably not,” Trump told CNBC. “I have the best poll numbers I’ve ever had.”
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment clearly bars anyone from being elected president more than twice. Trump, who held office from 2017 to 2021 and reclaimed the presidency in 2024, is already serving his second term.
Rumors and ‘Loopholes’
The idea of a third Trump term has been fueled by his own past hints, along with an amendment proposal by Rep. Andy Ogles that would allow a president to serve three terms. Trump himself once told MSNBC, “I have never had requests so strong as that. But it’s something, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.”
This week, however, he appeared to shut the door on the notion — shifting focus instead to “maximizing the next four years” and then handing the reins to a trusted Republican successor.
Eyeing the GOP’s Next Leader
Trump used the interview to praise his record on tariffs and trade, crediting those policies for his enduring popularity.
“People love the tariffs, and they love the trade deals,” he said. “They love that foreign countries aren’t ripping us off. The friends were worse.”
When pressed on who might follow in his footsteps, Trump pointed directly to his vice president, JD Vance.
“In all fairness, he’s the vice president,” Trump said. “And he would probably be favored at this point.”
Passing the Torch — But Not the Influence
For die-hard supporters hoping for a constitutional change, Trump’s latest remarks leave little doubt: unless the rules are rewritten, he’s not coming back in 2028. Instead, he’s positioning himself as kingmaker — cementing his legacy, shaping GOP leadership, and giving his blessing to a new generation, starting with JD Vance.
While Trump may be stepping off the ballot after 2028, his fingerprints on the Republican Party’s future are likely to remain — and his influence, as always, will be impossible to ignore.