Trump Suggests He Knows He Can’t Run Again: ‘It’s Too Bad’

Politics|Trump Suggests He Knows He Can’t Run Again: ‘It’s Too Bad’

President Trump seemed to concede on Wednesday that he was not eligible to serve a third term, lamenting that it was an unfortunate result of the constitutional prohibition that he has mused about violating for months.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, the last leg of his three-country diplomatic tour across Asia, Mr. Trump said it was “too bad” that he couldn’t run in 2028.

“We have the greatest economy we’ve ever had, I have my highest poll numbers that I’ve ever had,” he boasted (his approval rating remains low, at 43 percent, according to a New York Times average). “And, you know, based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run. So we’ll see what happens.”

The remarks came after House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday there was no path around the Constitution’s two-term limit.

“I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution — I don’t see the path for that,” Mr. Johnson said — but not before complimenting the “Trump 2028” cap that the president likes to wear and display in the Oval Office, and noting that it was still fun to entertain the idea.

Mr. Trump, asked about Mr. Johnson’s conclusion, which the speaker said he had discussed with the president, said he didn’t “want to talk about it” before listing accomplishments, such as resolving several conflicts and rising stock prices, that he said made him the ideal candidate.