Trump Revives Third-term Talk, Claiming He Was Cheated
WHO:
The Guardian - Donald Trump, identified as the president, told rally-goers that he believed he had “the right to run again” for president.
The Guardian - Mike Johnson, speaker of the House, said Trump “has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats” when making third-term claims. Johnson said he did not see a way to amend the Constitution to allow Trump to run again.
The Guardian - Trump’s allies have dismissed his third-term statements as jokes; opponents have raised concerns that he may be serious.
Newsweek - President Donald Trump argued that the 2020 election entitled him to seek the presidency again.
WHAT:
The Guardian - At a rally, Trump said, “I don’t know who is going to be your next president” and said he thought the law did not allow him to run again, adding, “I’m not 100% sure.”
The Guardian - Trump acknowledged that the 22nd Amendment prohibits presidents from seeking a third term, then claimed Democrats “stole” the 2020 election. He said, “they cheated us on the second one because we won it three times,” and concluded, “I think I have the right to run again.”
The Guardian - Trump repeated, “I think I have the right to run again because they cheated,” drawing applause from the crowd.
The Guardian - Trump said the constitutional restriction was concise and offered “not a lot of wiggle room,” quoting it as saying that “under no circumstances and for any reason” should someone who had served consider running again.
The Guardian - Trump has repeatedly teased another presidential run, which the article describes as a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution.
The Guardian - Trump urged supporters to vote as though he were on the ballot in the U.S. midterm elections, aiming to help Republicans gain more seats.
Newsweek - The article’s headline quotes Trump saying, “They cheated us.”
WHERE:
The Guardian - Trump made the remarks at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Guardian - Trump wore a “Trump 2028” hat at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
WHEN:
The Guardian - Trump said in October 2025 that he “would love” to run for a third term.
The Guardian - At a Texas rally in February, Trump said, “Maybe we should do one more term,” and claimed he was “entitled” to it.
The Guardian - The Trump store began selling “Trump 2028” hats last year; Trump wore one at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in July.
The Guardian - Johnson made his remarks to reporters last year.
The Guardian - Trump urged supporters to vote in the November U.S. midterm elections.
WHY:
The Guardian - Trump said he was entitled to run again because he claimed Democrats cheated him in the 2020 election.
Newsweek - Trump’s stated basis for seeking the presidency again was his claim that the 2020 election entitled him to do so.
HOW:
The Guardian - Trump made the third-term remarks while joking with rally-goers, laughing and smiling coyly; his claim drew applause.
The Guardian - Trump promoted Republican turnout by urging supporters to vote as though he were on the ballot.
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 20:13 UTC)
President Trump told rally-goers in Sioux City, Iowa, that he believed he had the right to run for president again, despite the Constitution’s two-term limit. He acknowledged the 22nd Amendment bars a third term, but claimed Democrats cheated him in the 2020 election and said he had therefore won three times. Trump repeated that he was entitled to run again, drawing applause, while laughing and smiling as he made the remarks. He also urged supporters to vote in the November midterm elections as though he were on the ballot, to help Republicans gain seats. House Speaker Mike Johnson has characterized Trump’s third-term talk as trolling Democrats and said he sees no way to amend the Constitution. Trump’s allies have dismissed the comments as jokes, while opponents worry he may be serious. His remarks add to repeated hints about another run, including wearing a “Trump 2028” hat.