Hats and T-shirts Bearing "Trump 2028" Go on Sale
"Rewrite the Rules" Slogan Clearly Displayed
As former U.S. President Donald Trump continues to make statements leaving open the possibility of a third presidential run, controversy has erupted as the official online store operated by the Trump family has begun selling hats and T-shirts emblazoned with "Trump 2028."
On April 24 (local time), U.S. political news outlet Politico reported that the Trump Foundation launched and began selling red hats, T-shirts, and can coolers featuring the phrase "Trump 2028" through its online store. The product descriptions include messages such as "Express yourself with a Trump 2028 hat made in America." The hats are being sold for $50 (approximately 70,000 won), while the T-shirts and can coolers are priced at $36 (about 50,000 won) and $18 (about 25,000 won), respectively.
Local media have commented that, despite constitutional prohibitions, speculation is growing that Trump is aiming for a third term in the White House. Politico noted, "This is evidence that the president wants to run for a third term," adding, "Even if it is a reckless claim." Politico also pointed out that the T-shirts feature the phrase "Rewrite the rules" in small letters beneath "Trump 2028," describing it as "a more explicit call to create exceptions that would allow Trump to run again."
"Not a Joke": Trump Hints at Possibility of Third Term
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." However, Trump has repeatedly expressed his ambition to seek a third term. In an interview with NBC in March, when asked about the possibility of a third term, he replied, "There is a way it can be done," and added, "I am very popular. As you know, a lot of people want me to do it."
Earlier this year, Republican Representative Andy Ogles introduced a constitutional amendment resolution aimed at allowing Trump to run for a third term. The resolution stipulates that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, and after being elected twice consecutively, no further terms may be sought." This would permit Trump to run for a third term, while preventing former presidents such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, who have already served two consecutive terms, from running again.
However, the prevailing view is that it would be difficult for Trump to amend the Constitution to allow a third run. Approval from more than two-thirds of both the House and Senate would be required, as well as ratification by 38 out of the 50 U.S. states. Some interpret Trump's repeated mentions of a possible third run as a strategy to avoid becoming a lame duck too soon. Meanwhile, some Trump supporters have proposed that Vice President JD Vance could be nominated as the presidential candidate in 2028, and, if elected, could immediately resign, allowing Trump to assume the presidency. Notably, Trump, who was born in 1946, would be 82 years old at the end of his second term in 2028.
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