Trump floats 2028 run at White House correspondents' dinner, defying term limits

The announcement

Donald Trump used his speech at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner to declare he intends to pursue a third presidential term in 2028. During remarks that lasted just over an hour, he donned a red cap bearing the slogan 'Trump 2028' in what multiple Italian outlets described as a surprise move. The room fell silent as he told the audience: 'This is my intention. And this is... my intention for a third term as president of the United States.'

This is my intention. And this is... my intention for a third term as president of the United States. We'll do that. We'll have some fun. I won. I won three times. Now I'll do it again.

He added that it 'should be easy' and that he is becoming 'very good at running for president.' After the speech, the evening closed with the Village People's 'YMCA,' one of Trump's favourite songs, to which he performed his characteristic dance.

Legal barrier

Trump's suggestion faces a direct constitutional obstacle. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 after Franklin Delano Roosevelt's four terms, states that 'no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.' The 12th Amendment, dating from 1804, further closes the vice-presidential route, specifying that no person constitutionally ineligible for the presidency can serve as vice president. Any attempt to circumvent these provisions would almost certainly end up before the Supreme Court, the sole authority empowered to interpret the Constitution and its amendments. Trump would be 82 years old in 2028.

Broadside against the media

Trump used the platform to attack journalists, Democratic representatives, and celebrities critical of him. He singled out Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, rock singer Bruce Springsteen ('he's in bad shape, what happened to him?'), and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, whom he called 'low IQ' and 'the dumbest on television.' Late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert were labelled 'terrible.' The audience responded with tepid applause.

He's in bad shape, what happened to him?

Iran claims

Turning to foreign policy, Trump accused the press of publishing 'only fake news' about the conflict with Iran. He asserted that Iran's navy and air force 'no longer exist' and that the country 'no longer has radar,' then repeated his position that Iran 'will never have nuclear weapons.' The line drew some applause from the journalists in the room.

I've heard only fake news. But their navy no longer exists, their air force no longer exists, they no longer have radar.

Direct line to the press

Trump told the gathering that he receives a phone call 'every 3.7 minutes,' often from journalists across the country. Several White House correspondents confirmed that the president frequently answers calls directly, even from unknown numbers, and speaks with reporters without prior acquaintance.