Trump rules out using VP loophole as he teases unconstitutional third term presidential bid

President Donald Trump has shut down speculation that he would utilise a controversial loophole to remain in office - but didn't rule out the idea of him running again.

We are ten months into Trump's second stint as commander-in-chief, but a lot of people think he is already eyeing up a third term, despite it being explicitly forbidden in the US Constitution.

According to the 22nd Amendment, presidents cannot be elected more than twice - but this is Trump we're talking about.

He's been flogging $50 'Trump 2028' hats on his online store, as well as dropping major hints over the last few months that he would be more than up for another few years in the White House.

Back in March, Trump boasted that a 'lot of people' want him to run again despite what the Constitution might state - before going on to say 'there are methods' he could use to get around the 22nd Amendment.

One of these methods is the 79-year-old taking a backseat at the next election and appearing as another politician's running mate.

Trump didn't rule out the idea of a third-term, but did say he wouldn't use the VP loophole (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

If the candidate he teamed up with got in, he could then become vice president - and if the actual president died, resigned, or was removed from office, Trump would automatically return to the top.

This rule was officially written into law by the 25th Amendment, which states that when a president can’t serve, the vice president fully becomes the new president.

'It's too cute'

There has been speculation that this is one of the many cards that Trump might have up his sleeve, but on Monday (27 October), he told reporters that he 'wouldn't do that'.

Although he reminded the press he was talking to aboard Air Force One that he would 'be allowed' to use the VP loophole, he said he has no plans to do so.

"I think people wouldn't like that," Trump said. "It's too cute. It wouldn't be right."

He went on to suggest that the current VP, JD Vance, and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, would be a formidable force if they teamed up for the next election.

He told reporters on Monday that he 'would love to' continue leading the country (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"I’m not sure if anyone would run against those two," Trump continued. "I think if they ever formed a group, it would be unstoppable."

When asked whether he would be in the running during the next election, he responded: "You’ll have to tell me."

Trump said he 'would love to do' a third term, but kept things coy as he added: "I haven’t really thought about it. We have some very good people, as you know...But I have the best poll numbers that I’ve ever had."

He will be 82 by the end of his second term - but he previously insisted he 'likes working', so wouldn't mind still running the country.

The president's latest comments come days after former VP and Democrat Kamala Harris revealed she would consider entering the next presidential race.