In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump, currently in his second term, has publicly expressed a desire to run for a third term. During a recent interview with NBC News, Trump declared, “There are methods which you can do it,” raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.

For months, Trump has hinted at the possibility of extending his presidency, despite the clear restrictions laid out in the U.S. Constitution. He has made several jokes about a third term, notably during a House Republican retreat in January, where he quipped about his eligibility to run again. Just a week following his electoral victory, he mused to House Republicans about the prospect of continuing as president after his second term concludes.

Such comments have ignited concern and confusion among many, especially given Trump’s controversial history related to the legitimacy of the 2020 election. His attempts to overturn the results and his decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot have fueled speculation about his political intentions. However, Trump will be 82 years old when his second term ends, and he has repeatedly suggested that he intends for this to be his final term.

The 22nd Amendment of the Constitution expressly states, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice,” which is a clear barrier to any aspirations Trump may have for a third term. Critics argue that supporters who claim the ban only applies to consecutive terms are misinterpreting the amendment, which fundamentally prohibits more than two presidential elections.

Some Trump supporters propose a more complex loophole: running as a vice president and assuming the presidency if the primary candidate resigns. Trump himself entertained this idea in the same NBC interview, but this plan faces significant hurdles. Age would play a factor, as Trump would be older than any presidential candidate in recent history, and the Constitution specifies that only those eligible for the presidency can serve as vice president.

Despite the improbability of these ambitious plans, one Republican lawmaker has even suggested amending the Constitution to permit Trump another chance at the presidency—a proposal that is unlikely to gain traction given the rigorous amendment process.

If Trump were to pursue a third term, he would likely face significant resistance from election officials and the judiciary, which have historically maintained strict adherence to the constitutional qualifications for presidential candidates. While some states attempted to disqualify Trump under the 14th Amendment, these attempts were complicated legally, especially since the Supreme Court had not previously addressed the insurrection clause in this context. However, according to experts, the straightforward nature of the 22nd Amendment would likely make any effort to keep Trump from the ballot much more definitive.

Political analysts speculate that Trump’s ongoing discussion of a potential third term may be a calculated strategy to maintain influence and relevance within the Republican Party during his final term. With termed-out politicians often losing clout, Trump’s repeated allusions to a future, possibly expanded role may be aimed at solidifying his position among party loyalists.

On a recent call with NBC, Trump insisted, “I’m not joking,” about considering this ambitious and legally fraught option. Experts suggest this could be indicative of his approach during this term: “He’s governing like he’s a lame duck right now, with nothing to lose,” indicated Derek Muller, a law professor, examining Trump’s aggressive maneuvers to consolidate power.

As discussions around Trump's potential run for a third term continue, one thing remains clear: the road ahead is filled with legal complexities and political hurdles that make such aspirations more of a talking point than a feasible reality.