House Speaker Mike Johnson dropped a notable tidbit Tuesday, revealing he’s had conversations with President Donald Trump about the notion of a third term in 2028. It’s a topic that instantly grabs attention, especially with Trump’s knack for stirring the pot.
As reported by CNN, Johnson, a constitutional lawyer, acknowledged these discussions but firmly shut down any real possibility, citing the 22nd Amendment as an immovable barrier. He emphasized that amending the Constitution is a grueling, decade-long process, far outlasting Trump’s time in office.
Johnson’s take is clear: while Trump may enjoy teasing Democrats with the idea, there’s no feasible path forward. He even noted speaking with Trump that very morning, though specifics on their constitutional chats weren’t pinned to a date.
Johnson didn’t shy away from pointing out Trump’s sense of humor in all this, describing the “Trump 2028” cap as a wildly popular item designed to get under the skin of the left. “He has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats, whose hair is on fire about the very prospect,” Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill.
That quip lands with a smirk, but let’s be honest: it’s a distraction tactic, not a policy proposal. Trump knows how to keep the spotlight, and this third-term chatter is just another way to keep opponents off balance.
Still, the Speaker’s quick pivot to constitutional reality shows he’s not entertaining fantasy. His legal background isn’t just for show; he’s grounding the conversation in hard limits.
Johnson laid out the daunting process of amending the Constitution, requiring two-thirds of the House and three-fourths of the states to ratify a change, a timeline he pegged at roughly ten years. “I don’t see the path for that,” he stated plainly, underlining why a third term isn’t in the cards.
This isn’t mere opinion; it’s the structural reality of American governance. Daydreaming about 2028 ignores the bedrock rules that have held for generations.
Trump himself has fueled the buzz, saying Monday he’d “love to do it,” while also dismissing a sneaky workaround of running as vice president to later reclaim the presidency. His rejection of that idea as “too cute” suggests even he sees the ethical line, if not the legal one.
Within Trump’s circle, the third-term talk is seen more as a media magnet than a serious plan, with allies calling it “like catnip” for journalists and Democrats. A source close to Trump insisted he’s not genuinely plotting a 2028 run, citing both legal barriers and personal considerations like age.
That’s a fair point when you consider Trump’s awareness of legacy, especially not wanting to echo the age-related critiques faced by President Joe Biden. At 82 by 2028, the optics alone would be a tough sell.
Another insider doubled down, saying Trump isn’t “seriously thinking about 2028, no one is seriously thinking about it right now.” The focus, they suggest, will shift closer to midterm discussions, not today’s headlines.
Trump’s public jests, like displaying “Trump 2028” hats in the Oval Office, keep the conversation alive, even if it’s more theater than strategy. Some close to him argue he dislikes framing his current term as winding down, pushing back against any lame-duck narrative.
Yet, the hard truth remains: the Constitution isn’t a suggestion, it’s the law, and no amount of caps or quips changes that. Johnson’s role here is less cheerleader and more realist, reminding everyone of the guardrails.
For all the noise, this story is a reminder of why checks and balances exist, ensuring no leader, however popular, can simply rewrite the rulebook. It’s a system worth defending, even if the progressive crowd might clutch their pearls at Trump’s mere musings.
