Trump Hints at Ambition for Third Term as President... "Roosevelt Served 16 Years"

Last Month, Declared "No Intention for a Third Term"

Former U.S. President Donald Trump indirectly indicated his intention to run for a third term if he wins the presidential election this November and enters the White House. This comes just one month after he publicly declared that he had no intention of challenging the constitutional limit on a third term.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to U.S. political media outlet Politico and others on the 19th (local time), Trump attended the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting held in Dallas, Texas, the day before, where he said, "As you know, FDR served nearly 16 years, four terms. Would we be considered a third term or a second term?"

FDR refers to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only U.S. president in history to serve four terms. By mentioning Roosevelt, Trump revealed his ambition to not only return to power but also to aim for a third term. Some in the audience responded with the word "third term."

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, enacted in 1951, limits the presidency to two terms to prevent long-term rule like Roosevelt's. However, Trump has openly expressed his intention to seek a third term since the 2020 presidential election.

When criticized for opposing democracy and the Constitution, Trump stated in an interview with Time magazine last month that he would not challenge the 22nd Amendment. He said he would "absolutely not support" challenging the Constitution and that he would "serve for four years and do a great job. I want to take our country back and put it on the right path." Yet, just one month after making this statement, Trump changed his stance again by mentioning the possibility of a third term.