Trump rules out running for a third presidential term

US President Donald Trump has confirmed he does not intend to seek a third term in office, emphasizing his commitment to serving only two terms in line with the US Constitution.

US President Donald Trump has clarified that he does not plan to pursue a third term, putting an end to speculation around a possible extended presidency.

In an interview broadcast Sunday by NBC News, Trump stated: “I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important.” He said his goal is to serve four more years and then hand over leadership to a capable Republican successor.

“I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody - ideally a great Republican,” he added, mentioning Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential future leaders.

While Trump noted he wasn’t sure whether the two-term limit was constitutional, he made it clear that he does not intend to challenge the rule. The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, adopted in 1951, prohibits any individual from being elected president more than twice, whether the terms are consecutive or not.

Earlier in March, Trump had commented that he was “not joking” about a third term, prompting debate over whether such a move was legally or politically viable. Some allies had floated the idea of a third stint through succession rather than direct election.

However, altering the Constitution to remove the two-term limit would be a highly complex process, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress and ratification by three-quarters of US states - an unlikely scenario.

Trump’s recent remarks signal his intent to adhere to constitutional norms as the presidential campaign season continues.

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