All the times Trump has promoted 2028 run with merch and rhetoric

While members of Congress have brushed off the possibility of President Trump running for a third term, his public comments are full of mixed messages.Why it matters: The Constitution explicitly prohibits a president from seeking a third term, but some MAGA loyalists have publicly floated the idea, and Trump 2028 campaign merch hints that the concept is still alive and well in conservative circles.Driving the news: On Monday, Trump declined to definitively rule out a second term, instead saying he "would love to do it."He also floated the idea of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio running on the same ticket, after falsely claiming that his poll numbers are so high that another run could be on the table.The White House did not respond to a request to comment on this story.Reality check: Presidential term limits are specifically laid out in the 22nd Amendment, which states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice."Yes, but: A pro-Trump group known as the Third Term Project has been laying out the arguably unfeasible groundwork for another Trump presidency.They've suggested that a coalition of states could call a Constitutional convention to strike the 22nd Amendment, which is unlikely to happen before 2028, as 34 states would have to agree to request one. Alternatively, they suggest Congress could get involved, passing a law that amends the Constitution. There's little appetite for this route on the Hill, as evidenced by Rep. Andy Ogles' (R-Tenn.) stalled resolution to do just that. The project also endorses the idea that if Vance ran as president with Trump as VP, Vance could resign on Day 1 and let Trump take over. Trump called the idea "too cute" when speaking to reporters on Monday.Nonetheless, former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon shocked the Beltway last week when he said there was "a plan" to keep Trump in the Oval Office for a third term.Although the White House has dismissed a third term as a harmless attempt to troll the left, Trump's official merch site offers a Trump 2028 hat, t-shirt and can coolers.Here's a non-exhaustive list of all the times Trump has toyed publicly about running for a third term.March 2018: Maybe somedayPresident Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for being a "president for life" in a private speech for Republican donors during his first term, adding that "maybe we'll give that a shot someday."His comments were met with applause and laughter, according to a PBS News report of his remarks.December 2019: More than three termsTrump encouraged students at a summit hosted by Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA to up their expectations of how long he will serve as president."Four more years," the attendees chanted."Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now, if you want to drive them crazy, go, '16 more years.' Sixteen more years," Trump replied.August 2020: "Redo" requiredTrump told a crowd of fervent supporters in 2020 that he should get a redo of his first presidency and additional years in office."We are going to win four more years. And then after that we'll go for another four years, because they spied on my campaign," he said, referencing the probe that found Russian operatives had worked to boost his 2016 campaign."We should get a redo of four years," Trump said.August 2020: How to drive Democrats "crazy"During a 53-minute campaign speech in Charlotte, NC, the president told supporters that the best way to enrage Democrats is to tease a potential third term.At one point in this speech, the crowd chanted, "Four more years."Trump responded, "If you really wanna drive 'em crazy, say 12 more years.'"April 2025: Exploring methodsTrump said "there are methods" that could allow him to serve again in an NBC interview in April, but declined to elaborate on what those methods could be."We have almost four years to go and that's a long time but despite that so many people are saying you've got to run again," he told reporters aboard Air Force One.He also said that he was "not joking."April 2025: Unspecified loopholes to the ConstitutionThe president again confirmed that members of his team were discussing a third term during an extensive interview with Time magazine in April."There are some loopholes that have been discussed. But I don't believe in loopholes," Trump said.May 2025: Walking it backTrump put a damper on a potential third term in May as well."This is not something I'm looking to do. I'm looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward," Trump told NBC Anchor Kristen Welker.He also said "I don't know" when asked if he was required to follow the Constitution.August 2025: Check this outThe president showed off a "four more years" hat to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron when they visited the White House in August. The hat is displayed in the building's gift shop, alongside other Trump 2028 hats.October 2025: You'll have to tell meTrump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday that he hasn't "really thought about" running for a third term.When pressed to elaborate, he responded, "Am I not ruling it out? You'll have to tell me."The bottom line: The White House's position on another four years of Trump is unclear. But in the meantime, he'll still be selling $50 Trump 2028 hats.Go deeper: Behind the Curtain: Trump and the most unprecedented presidency in 250 years

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All the times Trump has promoted 2028 run with merch and rhetoric

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