A new poll has revealed that nearly half of Republicans who identify with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement believe Donald Trump is eligible to run for a third term as president, despite the U.S. Constitution limiting presidents to two terms.
According to a SurveyUSA poll of 2,491 registered voters, 21% of all respondents said Trump could legally seek a third term. However, among MAGA Republicans, that number rose to 49%.
In contrast, 71% of all respondents said he was not eligible to run again, including 91% of Democrats and 78% of independents.
Even within the Republican Party, opinions are split.
While 45% of Republicans said Trump cannot run again, 42% said he could. Among MAGA supporters, belief in his eligibility outnumbers disbelief, while non-MAGA Republicans are more skeptical—64% say he can’t run again, and only 28% believe he can.
Why This Matters?
Donald Trump, who started his second term in January, has frequently made remarks—sometimes jokingly—about running again in 2028. But in recent interviews, he has clarified he’s serious.
This has sparked concerns about potential legal efforts to bypass the Constitution.
The 22nd Amendment clearly states that no person can be elected president more than twice. It also bars anyone who has already served more than two years of another president’s term from being elected more than once.
What’s Being Discussed?
Trump has suggested ways he could potentially return to the White House. One scenario he mentioned involves running as vice president in 2028, with his chosen candidate—possibly JD Vance—as president.
After being elected, Vance could resign, and Trump would assume the presidency again. However, the 12th Amendment prevents anyone ineligible to be president from serving as vice president.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, a strong Trump ally, recently claimed a “team” is working on ways to get Trump a third term.
In an interview on Real Time with Bill Maher on April 11, Bannon said Trump would win again in 2028 and become president once more in 2029. He even argued that because Trump’s terms weren’t consecutive, a third term might be legally possible.
Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, has proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow a president to be elected up to three times—but only if they haven’t served two consecutive terms. This would still block former presidents like Obama and George W. Bush, but potentially open the door for Trump.
Expert Opinions
Philip Klinkner, a political science professor at Hamilton College, warned that any successful attempt by Trump to remain in office beyond 2029 would mark the end of American democracy. “It would show that there are no longer any laws or institutions that can contain him,” he said.
Others, like former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, expressed admiration but acknowledged legal limits. “He’s a very smart man,” Bondi told Fox News. “I wish we could have him for 20 years, but I think he’s going to be finished after this term.”
What Lies Ahead?
While efforts to amend the Constitution are in motion, changing it would require broad bipartisan support—a major challenge in today’s political climate.
If Trump decides to pursue a third term in 2028, legal battles are almost guaranteed.
For now, the idea of a third term for Donald Trump remains both legally untested and politically explosive.