WASHINGTON — Trump-branded gear is already up for sale on the Trump Organization’s website: a “Trump 2028” hat goes for $50, and a $36 t-shirt declares “Trump 2028 (Re-write the Rules).”
But rewriting the rules isn’t so simple. The Constitution bars any president from serving more than two terms, and many of Donald Trump’s Republican allies admit a third term would require a constitutional amendment — a near-impossible feat.
“He’s not going to run again,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told NBC News. Still, he acknowledged Trump’s strategy: “Don’t underestimate how much he believes any Trump-centric buzz is beneficial — it keeps his opponents in the shadows.”
Despite the legal roadblocks, Trump keeps hinting he could remain in office until 2033, when he’d be 86. Whether he’s serious or not, the mere suggestion isn’t something potential Republican contenders can afford to dismiss.
The idea of a third term effectively puts the 2028 GOP primary on ice. No aspiring candidate wants to risk challenging Trump prematurely — especially without knowing how far he’s willing to go.
Jumping in too soon could mean political suicide within the MAGA movement.
Big-name Republicans like Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are all keeping quiet. None are likely to make a move unless Trump explicitly states he won’t run again.
“Jumping the gun means total rejection,” said Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser now exploring ways to legally extend Trump’s presidency. “Trump is MAGA; MAGA is Trump.”
Asa Hutchinson, the former Arkansas governor who ran against Trump in 2024, said Trump’s vague talk of a third term especially affects figures like Vance and DeSantis. “They know they can’t make a move without Trump’s go-ahead,” Hutchinson said.
That green light isn’t expected anytime soon. According to a GOP insider close to several potential 2028 candidates, Trump is likely to delay announcing his plans as long as possible — keeping attention on himself and avoiding the perception that he’s a lame duck.
For now, Trump still wields enormous influence over the Republican Party. No serious contender wants to risk his wrath.
Take Ron DeSantis, for example. Trump’s early endorsement helped him win the 2018 Florida gubernatorial primary, but when DeSantis challenged Trump in 2024, it was seen as a betrayal.
Many in Trump’s base haven’t forgiven him. Before last year’s Iowa caucuses, right-wing activist Laura Loomer told DeSantis in a hotel lobby: “You killed your political career, and I hope you’re happy.”
The safest move for 2028 hopefuls, according to a Trump adviser, is to play along with the idea that Trump might run again. “Anyone looking toward 2028 is probably the first to buy a ‘Trump 2028’ hat,” the adviser joked, speaking on condition of anonymity.
JD Vance may be in the best spot if Trump does bow out. As vice president, he enjoys high visibility and access to key political and financial resources.
He’s got a taxpayer-funded staff, use of government aircraft, and the opportunity to build foreign policy experience — all while Trump largely avoids international travel. This month, Vance visited Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss trade and had a private meeting with Pope Francis shortly before the pontiff’s passing.
Trump has also placed Vance in a powerful political position. As of last month, he’s the finance chair of the Republican National Committee — giving him direct ties to major GOP donors who could support a future run.
JD Vance hasn’t made any moves toward launching a presidential campaign, and according to someone close to him, he hasn’t seriously entertained the idea — at least not yet.
When asked recently whether he sees himself as Donald Trump’s political heir, Vance downplayed any urgency around a White House bid. However, he did acknowledge that if conditions are right, he could emerge as a strong contender — particularly after the 2026 midterms.
“If I perform well over the next four years, the rest will sort itself out,” Vance told NBC News. “In a couple of years, sure, things might shift — the political climate will heat up and the focus will move away from the daily workings of the White House.”
Others in the Republican field don’t have the same luxury. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and will leave office in 2027, losing the visibility that comes with the governor’s role. Still, sources say that hasn’t dimmed his presidential ambitions.
“He firmly believes he can still become president,” said a longtime DeSantis ally. “Most outside observers doubt his viability, but that’s just not how he sees it. He doesn’t view the world that way.”
If Trump does pursue another term, however, his dominance over the GOP could leave little room for competition.
The most direct path for Trump to return would involve amending the Constitution — specifically, overturning the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms. But in today’s divided political climate, getting three-quarters of the states on board is nearly impossible.
That’s led to more unconventional theories. One scenario floating around: Vance runs in 2028 with Trump as his running mate. If they win, Vance could then step down, allowing Trump to assume the presidency again.
But that plan quickly runs into legal complications. The 12th Amendment says that no one ineligible to be president can serve as vice president. So the question becomes: Is Trump ineligible to be elected again, or ineligible to serve at all?
Some legal scholars suggest a loophole might exist. The 22nd Amendment only says a person can’t be elected president more than twice — it doesn’t explicitly prohibit them from serving again if they come into office through succession.
That interpretation, while questionable, isn’t ruled out by the text, according to Kermit Roosevelt, a constitutional law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and descendant of President Theodore Roosevelt. “This idea goes against the spirit of the amendments,” he said, “but it’s not clearly blocked by the letter of the law.”
Whether Vance would entertain such a plan is unknown. He hasn’t spoken publicly about it, and his team has declined to comment on any 2028 strategy involving Trump.
In an April 22 interview with Time magazine, Trump was asked directly about a potential role reversal with his vice president.
“I don’t know anything about that,” he said. “All I can say is, I’m getting flooded with encouragement. I’m doing a good job.”
He acknowledged there are “well-known loopholes” being discussed but added, “I don’t believe in loopholes. I don’t believe in using them.”
Still, the ambiguity appears to be working in Trump’s favor. On Thursday, his son Eric Trump posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter), smiling as he wore a “Trump 2028” hat — another signal that the guessing game isn’t over.
– Magdalena Motha is a politics, business and sports news reporter for Foxton News
