# Trump won't rule out 3rd term **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 31, 2025, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371 "2025-03-31T01:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/381 "2025-10-23T16:02:06Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > My question is what incentive is there for someone to resign the presidency for the benefit of Mr. Trump? Well, that’s pretty easy actually. If the GOP has the House and the Senate they can just impeach the newly-elected President if they renege. But any POTUS candidate that was planning on doing that would be running with that explicit platform. It wouldn’t be a big secret. And going against that promise would be political suicide. However, I think that the two-term limit is so sacrosanct at this point that it would pretty easily lose the Vance/Trump ticket the 10%+ that would cost them the election. So as much as Trump would love to daydream about it, and will definitely bluster about it, he will have to settle for being the kingmaker and the real power behind the Vance presidency. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/382 "2025-10-23T16:17:53Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Well, that’s pretty easy actually. If the GOP has the House and the Senate they can just impeach the newly-elected President if they renege. The House can impeach by majority vote sure. But the Senate tries the case and they need a 2/3 vote to convict. Are you expecting all of the Republicans (except Murkowski) and then some of the Democrats to convict just so Trump can get back into office? > [@Jas09](#): > > And going against that promise would be political suicide. Which at that point means a one-term President. So resign and be a 9 day President with what kind of political future afterwards? Yeah, I wouldn’t resign. > [@Jas09](#): > > However, I think that the two-term limit is so sacrosanct at this point that it would pretty easily lose the Vance/Trump ticket the 10%+ that would cost them the election. Considering Harris lost the election in 2024 when in a sane nation she would have gotten 500+ EVs, I wouldn’t count on that. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/383 "2025-10-23T16:49:05Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I don’t know if this is old news since the interview was months ago, but in an interview with Bill Mahre, Scott Bannon hinted that the plan is to have Trump become President the afternoon of 20 January 2029 meaning run as VP and have the President resign within a few hours. > > My question is what incentive is there for someone to resign the presidency for the benefit of Mr. Trump? In addition to what the others have said, they become a MAGA hero who helped stick it to the libs. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/384 "2025-10-23T16:49:55Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > In addition to what the others have said, they become a MAGA hero who helped stick it to the libs. And get a lifetime pension, Secret Service protection, and presidential library. ETA: But I don’t think it will go down this way. Trump will simply declare some national emergency as a reason the election must be postponed (for only two weeks, don’t worry) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/385 "2025-10-23T16:55:32Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > ETA: But I don’t think it will go down this way. Trump will simply declare some national emergency as a reason the election must be postponed (for only two weeks, don’t worry) No because that would be unconstitutional. Only Congress can do that and they would never do that. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/386 "2025-10-23T16:56:27Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > No because that would be unconstitutional You have more faith in the guardrails than I do. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/387 "2025-10-23T16:59:22Z")
Just like they would never allow Trump to tear down the East Wing of the White House without permits and Congressional approval. You _really_ need to learn the difference between “Can’t”, and “Not Supposed To”. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/388 "2025-10-23T17:05:43Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > My question is what incentive is there for someone to resign the presidency for the benefit of Mr. Trump? A shit load of money and the adoration of basically every Republican in the United States. And as a cherry on top you get be the de facto next in line of succession when he dies. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/389 "2025-10-23T17:06:42Z")
But it’s not going to happen that way. I doubt he even tries. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/390 "2025-10-23T17:08:40Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > No because that would be unconstitutional. This administration does three unconstitutional things before breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/391 "2025-10-23T17:18:10Z")
I guess I should have put in the sarcasm tag. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/392 "2025-10-23T21:23:24Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > And get a lifetime pension, Secret Service protection, and presidential library. You think that after Trump gets what he wants form someone that he will then follow through with the rewards that he had promised. That is beyond naive. Which doesn’t mean someone won’t fall for it. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/393 "2025-10-23T21:50:37Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > But I don’t think it will go down this way. Trump will simply declare some national emergency as a reason the election must be postponed (for only two weeks, don’t worry) If he’s still alive (and up-and-around to at least some degree), I think this is what will happen. Donald is desperate to invoke the Insurrection Act and declare that all elections must be postponed For the Duration. He’s so desperate that he’s insisting that Portland is aflame, right now: > **[Fact check: Trump falsely claims, again, that Portland is burning down | CNN...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/22/politics/fact-check-trump-portland-burning-fire)** > > The president keeps claiming a major American city is burning down. Even though that is not even close to true. He has no intention of leaving on January 20, 2029. If he lives, he will be continuing on at Mar-a-Lago North (formerly known as The White House). ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/394 "2025-10-23T22:00:44Z")
There’s no federal authority to “postpone elections”, though. The federal government doesn’t run elections, states do. What’s he gonna do - post Seal Team Six at the mailbox to stop me from dropping off my ballot and declare that our city council and state insurance commissioner are now in office for life? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/395 "2025-10-23T22:03:04Z")
If you want to bet that the Trumpites can’t find a way to “postpone elections,” by all means do so. (Not on this site, obviously, but I bet there are sites permitting such bets.) I’m not sure your faith in Trump following established precedent, much less actual laws, is justified. (Though I’ll say I’m glad to see you, anyway!) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/396 "2025-10-23T22:06:00Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > If you want to bet that the Trumpites can’t find a way to “postpone elections,” by all means do so. “The Trumpites” have no power in my state. The governor, both houses of the legislature, and the Supreme Court are all controlled by Democrats. So yes, I’d say they can’t find a way to change the fact that we have a general election scheduled for 11/7/2028, short of an actual armed takeover of the state itself, civil war, and the declaration of the First American Empire. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/397 "2025-10-23T22:08:28Z")
Okay, you’re on the record. And I will go on the record predicting that the blue states may hold elections, but that the Electoral College will not hold proceedings and there will be no new President elected. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/398 "2025-10-23T22:10:45Z")
The Electoral College doesn’t “hold proceedings”. The electors meet separately in their own state capitals to cast their votes and submit them in writing to Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/399 "2025-10-23T22:12:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …start suggesting that if he does, Obama could and should run for one as well. > **[https://preview.redd.it/myf67fbyjpwf1.jpeg?auto=webp&s=2c8aea4165beea741cac3...](https://preview.redd.it/myf67fbyjpwf1.jpeg?auto=webp&s=2c8aea4165beea741cac3bd78b3b160edc279b58)** ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371/400 "2025-10-23T22:13:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Trumpites” have no power in my stare.So yes, … we have a general election scheduled for 11/7/2028, So there will be an election in your state. And probably in 10 or 15 other states, too. And that leaves 35 states without elections. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-rule-out-3rd-term/1016371.md?page=21)