The Constitutional Question: Analyzing Donald Trump’s Persistent 2028 Rhetoric
Former President Donald J. Trump has consistently fueled speculation regarding a potential run for the White House in 2028, despite the clear constitutional limitations on presidential terms. This ongoing promotion, which includes both explicit rhetoric and a steady stream of branded merchandise, raises significant questions about political strategy, fundraising, and the boundaries of presidential eligibility.
The issue came to the forefront recently when, on a Monday in late October 2025, President Trump declined to definitively rule out seeking a third term, stating simply that he “would love to do it.” This statement, while often framed humorously or rhetorically by his supporters, directly conflicts with the established legal framework governing the presidency.
The 22nd Amendment and the Term Limit Barrier
The primary legal obstacle to a third term is the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1951. This amendment explicitly limits any person from being elected to the office of the President more than twice.
Given that Donald Trump was elected in 2016 and again in 2024 (assuming the context of the current year 2025), he would be ineligible to run again in 2028 under current constitutional law. While the legal reality remains fixed, Trump’s continued discussion of the topic serves several political functions, including maintaining media attention and dominating the conversation ahead of the next election cycle.
Floating Potential 2028 Running Mates
Beyond the general discussion of a third term, Trump has also used the rhetoric to test the political waters for potential future partners. During the same period he made the “would love to do it” comment, he publicly floated the possibility of a ticket featuring two prominent figures:
- Vice President JD Vance: Currently serving alongside Trump, Vance is frequently mentioned as a potential successor and future party leader.
- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: A former CIA Director and Secretary of State, Pompeo is another key figure in the Republican establishment often considered a future presidential contender.
By linking these individuals to a hypothetical 2028 run, Trump keeps them—and himself—at the center of future political speculation and fundraising efforts.
A Year of Promotion: The “TRUMP 2028” Merchandise Timeline
The idea of a 2028 run has not been confined to off-the-cuff remarks; it has been a sustained, year-long effort backed by commercial sales. Since late 2024, the Trump campaign and affiliated entities have consistently sold merchandise explicitly branded with “TRUMP 2028.” This strategy ensures continuous engagement and provides a steady stream of small-dollar donations.
The timeline of “TRUMP 2028” merchandise releases demonstrates the consistency of this messaging, spanning over a year:
- September 2024: The first wave of merchandise, including hats and shirts, featuring the “TRUMP 2028” slogan, was released on his official website.
- October 2024: Trump joked about a third term during a New Hampshire rally, coinciding with the early merchandise sales.
- November 2024: Sales of a “TRUMP 2028” calendar began.
- January 2025: Coffee mugs bearing the 2028 slogan were made available.
- February 2025: The campaign sold “TRUMP 2028” flags.
- March 2025: Bumper stickers promoting the hypothetical run were released.
- April 2025: Keychains were added to the merchandise lineup.
- May 2025: Posters featuring the 2028 branding went on sale.
- June 2025: Buttons were sold to supporters.
- July 2025: Magnets were introduced.
- August 2025: Banners were made available for purchase.
- September 2025: The campaign began selling pens.
- October 2025: The latest items included lanyards.
This continuous commercialization of the 2028 concept underscores its role as a key element of the political fundraising machine, transforming constitutional controversy into tangible revenue.
Key Takeaways: Strategy Over Legality
The consistent promotion of a 2028 run, despite the constitutional prohibition, is widely viewed by political analysts as a deliberate, multi-faceted strategy designed to achieve immediate political and financial goals.
- Fundraising Engine: The merchandise sales provide a reliable, low-cost method for generating revenue and collecting valuable supporter data.
- Political Dominance: By keeping the possibility of a third term alive, Trump maintains his position as the central figure in the Republican Party, effectively discouraging potential rivals from launching early 2028 primary campaigns.
- Testing Boundaries: The rhetoric tests the loyalty and enthusiasm of his base, gauging their willingness to engage with politically provocative and constitutionally questionable concepts.
- Media Attention: The constitutional controversy guarantees significant media coverage, ensuring the former President remains a dominant topic in the national news cycle.
Conclusion
While the 22nd Amendment makes a third presidential term for Donald Trump legally impossible, his persistent promotion of the idea—evidenced by both his recent statements and the year-long sale of branded merchandise—serves crucial strategic purposes. This sustained effort keeps his base engaged, generates significant funding, and ensures his continued influence over the future direction of the Republican Party, regardless of who eventually runs in the 2028 election.
Original author: Josephine Walker
Originally published: October 27, 2025
Editorial note: Our team reviewed and enhanced this coverage with AI-assisted tools and human editing to add helpful context while preserving verified facts and quotations from the original source.
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