‘There Is a Plan’ for Trump to Seek Third Term in 2028, Steve Bannon Says

WASHINGTON — Former Trump strategist and far-right commentator Steve Bannon has reignited controversy by claiming that a plan exists for President Donald Trump to seek a third term in 2028, a move that would directly violate the U.S. Constitution’s two-term limit on presidential service.

In an interview with The Economist published on October 23, 2025, Bannon declared, “Trump is going to be president in ’28, and people just ought to get accommodated with that.” The remark instantly drew criticism and alarm from political observers, legal scholars, and members of Congress across party lines.

While Bannon offered no concrete explanation of how such a bid would be legally possible, he cryptically added that there were “many different alternatives” being explored to keep Trump in power beyond his constitutionally permitted eight years. “At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is,” he said. “But there is a plan.”

A Constitutionally Barred Possibility

Under the 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, no person may be elected president more than twice. Trump, having first served from 2017 to 2021 and been reelected in 2024, would be constitutionally barred from running again after completing his second term in 2029.

Despite this clear restriction, Trump has frequently hinted at defying the two-term rule. During public appearances and campaign rallies, he has teased the idea of staying in office beyond 2028 — remarks that his allies often frame as jokes, but which critics see as deliberate provocations testing the limits of democratic norms.

At a February White House reception, Trump asked supporters, “Should I run again? You tell me.” Meanwhile, his campaign operation has embraced the theme for merchandising, selling “Trump 2028” hats and memorabilia, despite the constitutional prohibition.

Political and Legal Reactions

Bannon’s statement has sparked bipartisan concern about the normalization of anti-democratic rhetoric at the highest levels of American politics.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R–S.D.) reiterated in March that Trump “cannot remain in the White House without a change in the Constitution,” a point echoed by constitutional scholars. “This isn’t a gray area,” said Laurence Tribe, professor emeritus at Harvard Law School. “The 22nd Amendment could not be clearer — no one can serve as president more than twice. Any plan to subvert that would be unconstitutional on its face.”

Democratic leaders, meanwhile, seized on Bannon’s remarks to warn that Trump’s continued flirtation with extending his presidency underscores what they describe as his authoritarian tendencies.

“Statements like these aren’t just reckless — they’re dangerous,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D–Conn.). “The Constitution is not a suggestion. Americans fought and died for the peaceful transfer of power, and we cannot allow anyone, inside or outside the White House, to undermine that principle.”

Trump’s Mixed Messages

Trump himself has sent conflicting signals about whether he genuinely intends to pursue a third term. In a May interview with NBC News, he appeared to acknowledge the legal limits:

“I will say this: So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that. But it’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.”

However, his continued public references to serving beyond two terms — and the sale of campaign-style 2028 merchandise by the Trump Organization — suggest that the idea remains part of his broader political messaging strategy.

Political analysts note that Trump often uses such remarks to energize his base and keep opponents off balance, while simultaneously testing the boundaries of what his supporters will accept.

Bannon’s Role and Legal Troubles

Bannon, once one of Trump’s most influential strategists during the 2016 campaign and early months of the administration, has remained a powerful figure within the MAGA movement, despite a series of legal controversies.

He served four months in prison in 2024 for defying a congressional subpoena related to the January 6 investigation and has pleaded guilty to separate fraud charges connected to the “We Build the Wall” fundraising scheme.

Still, he continues to host the “War Room” podcast, a platform that amplifies pro-Trump narratives and conspiracy theories, and maintains close ties with several figures in the president’s orbit.

Bannon’s comments to The Economist are being interpreted as a trial balloon — a way to gauge political reaction to the idea of Trump extending his time in office or possibly installing a handpicked successor who would allow him to wield influence behind the scenes.

Democrats’ 2028 Strategy Takes Shape

The renewed speculation over Trump’s political future comes as Democrats are already positioning themselves for the 2028 presidential race.

Several prominent figures — including former Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and California Governor Gavin Newsom — are seen as potential contenders. Trump’s comments about potentially remaining in power have, for many Democrats, become a rallying cry to restore faith in democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Political scientist Dr. Rachel Bitecofer said, “The suggestion that Trump might seek a third term is as much about dominance as it is about governance. It’s an assertion of control — a signal to his followers that he alone defines the rules.”

A Test of American Democracy

The broader concern, experts say, is that such rhetoric — whether serious or symbolic — erodes public trust in the Constitutional system of checks and balances.

“Once leaders start normalizing the idea that the Constitution’s limits are optional, the guardrails of democracy begin to break down,” said Dr. Yascha Mounk, author of The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure.

Even if Trump never attempts a formal third-term run, the continued discussion of it by allies like Bannon reinforces a political culture that places loyalty above law.

For now, the White House has declined to comment directly on Bannon’s remarks. A senior administration official, speaking anonymously, dismissed the claim as “not something the president is currently focused on.”

Still, the symbolism of “Trump 2028” — emblazoned on hats, banners, and social media hashtags — continues to loom large as a reminder of the fragile state of American democracy, where political theater often blurs into constitutional brinkmanship.