Donald Trump says he is ‘not joking’ about a third term in office as US President

Donald Trump has said he was 'not joking' about possibly running for a third term as US President, despite the constitution saying he can't.

He's made a number of comments alluding to a third term in the past, having quipped 'am I allowed to run again?' in January and then last month asking supporters at the White House: "Should I run again? You tell me."

Earlier this year, just days after Trump's second inauguration, a Republican politician named Andy Ogles started promoting an amendment that would change the rules in the US constitution that prevent a president from running for more than two terms.

Instead of being elected no more than twice, Ogles' amendment would change that to three terms and no more than two consecutive terms in office, meaning Trump could run in 2028.

The amendment is unlikely to have sufficient support to pass as it'd need two-thirds in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as the thumbs up from at least 38 of the 50 states.

Donald Trump said JD Vance running in 2028 then handing over the presidency was 'one' way he could get a third term (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

However, it's a sign that a potential third term for Trump is being worked on by some.

As for what Trump himself has said about it, in a recent interview with NBC he made it clear he was 'not joking' when he talked about the possibility of a third term.

"A lot of people want me to do it," Trump said of running in 2028.

"But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration. I’m focused on the current."

Asked if he wanted to seek a third term, Trump told the outlet: "I like working."

When he was asked to clarify his comments he said: "I’m not joking," adding that 'it is far too early to think about it'.

Evidently, it has not been too early for him to be talking about it or asking his supporters about it.

"There are methods which you could do it," Trump suggested of getting a third term in office.

Just three days after Trump's second inauguration, Republican politician Andy Ogles introduced an attempt to let him run for a third term (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

When he was asked whether his Vice President JD Vance could run in 2028 and then surrender the presidency to Trump, the current White House incumbent said 'that’s one' before adding 'but there are others, too'.

However, when the news outlet asked him to describe another method he might use he said: "No."

The two term limit on US Presidents used to be an unofficial precedent going back to the days of George Washington, who decided to step down and not seek re-election after two terms in office.

His successor John Adams didn't win a second term, while his successor Thomas Jefferson also decided to step down after two terms and that became the example to follow.

There had been discussions from past US Presidents about running to be elected a third time but it did not truly happen until 1940 when the immensely popular Franklin Delano Roosevelt ran for a third term and won, and then in 1944 he secured a fourth term.

His failing health meant he died in 1945, and afterwards the 22nd Amendment was passed to officially prevent anyone from being elected to the White House three times.