‘A lot of people want me to do it,’ the president said.
President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he is “not joking” about recent talk of him potentially seeking a third term in office, although such a move would likely face significant legal hurdles.
When asked about whether he is serious or joking about the third term comments, Trump said, “I’m not joking.”
“It is far too early to think about it,” he said, adding elsewhere in the interview that he is “focused on the current” term in office.
Explaining why he would want to seek a third term, Trump said that, “You have to start by saying, I have the highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years.”
“We’re in the high 70s in many polls, in the real polls, and you see that. And, and you know, we’re very popular,” Trump said.
When asked about how he could be elected to a third term, Trump told NBC News there might be ways to do so.
NBC’s Kristen Welker then provided him with a hypothetical situation: “Well, let me throw out one where President Vance would run for office and then would, basically … if he won, at the top of the ticket, would then pass the baton to you.”
In response, Trump said, “Well, that’s one. But there are others, too. There are others.”
“Can you tell me another?” Welker asked Trump. “No,” he said.
Also in the interview, Trump was asked about why he wants to continue to be president, which Welker described is “the toughest job in the country.”
“Well, I like working,” replied Trump, who would be 82 at the end of his current term.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
