Republican President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was not joking about the possibility of seeking a third presidential term, despite the U.S. Constitution’s clear prohibition against it.

Speaking in a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump emphasized that the idea was not a joke but acknowledged that it was too early to seriously consider.

“No, I’m not joking. I’m not joking,” Trump stated. “It is far too early to think about it.”

Trump, who took office on January 20 for his second, non-consecutive White House term, hinted that there are ways to potentially pursue a third term. “There are methods which you could do it, as you know,” he said, though he declined to specify.

The 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution limits presidents to two four-year terms, whether served consecutively or not. To change this, a constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the 50 U.S. states.

Despite these challenges, some of Trump’s allies are actively exploring the possibility. Longtime adviser Steve Bannon said during a March 19 interview with NewsNation that he believes Trump will run again in 2028. Bannon noted that he and others are looking into the legal interpretation of a term limit.

“We're working on it,” Bannon stated.

Trump, who at 78 became the oldest U.S. president at the time of his inauguration, would be 82 if he sought another four-year term following the 2028 election.

The idea of serving more than two terms has been largely off-limits in U.S. politics since the 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951. The precedent of a two-term limit dates back to George Washington in 1796, who chose to step down after his second term. Franklin D. Roosevelt broke this tradition by serving four terms during the Great Depression and World War II before dying in office in 1945.

Trump’s remarks, as well as his allies’ efforts, suggest that the concept of extending his time in office remains an ongoing discussion — one that may intensify as the next election approaches.

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