President Donald Trump expressed on Monday, March 31, that he would be eager to compete against former President Barack Obama in a hypothetical election scenario, adding a new layer to his recent discussions about potentially pursuing a third term despite constitutional restrictions.
“I’d love that, boy, I’d love that,” Trump said when asked about facing Obama in a theoretical contest. The president quickly pivoted, however, addressing whether he might try to remain in office beyond 2028. “I never looked into it. They do say there’s a way you can do it, but I don’t know about that.”
The remarks were made as Trump signed an executive order aimed at increasing scrutiny on ticket resellers regarding their business practices and prices charged to consumers. Musician Kid Rock, known for his support of Trump, was present during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office.
These comments mark the second instance in two days where the president has considered the idea of bypassing the 22nd Amendment, which explicitly forbids presidents from being elected more than twice. On Sunday, Trump informed NBC News that “there are methods” for circumventing the constitutional term limit, asserting he was not joking about the possibility.
“A lot of people want me to do it,” Trump told NBC. He later adopted a more measured tone when speaking to reporters on Air Force One, saying, “I don’t want to talk about a third term right now… No matter how you look at it, we got a long time to go.”
While speaking with reporters, Trump took a more noncommittal approach, acknowledging he is unsure whether running for a third term would be feasible, even as he claimed that “people are asking me to run.”
The idea of a Trump-Obama contest is purely theoretical, as both would need to overcome significant legal challenges. The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment clearly states that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,” with no exceptions for presidents like Trump who served non-consecutive terms.
Legal experts largely agree that any attempt to circumvent the amendment would face significant challenges. Altering the Constitution would require either a two-thirds vote of Congress or support from two-thirds of state legislatures to propose changes, followed by ratification from three-quarters of states.
Nonetheless, some Trump allies have considered the idea. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, has publicly stated that Trump could run and win again in 2028, while Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tennessee) introduced a resolution earlier this year calling for an extension of presidential term limits that would specifically enable Trump to seek another term.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune downplayed Trump’s comments, telling reporters Monday that the president is “probably having some fun with it and probably messing with you.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt similarly dismissed the speculation, calling a third term “not really something we’re thinking about.”