A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey reveals that 25% of U.S. adults would support former President Donald Trump running for an unprecedented third term—despite the 22nd Amendment’s clear two-term cap. Among Republicans, that figure jumps to 53%, showcasing his undiminished pull within the party faithful.
According to @YouGov, 25% of US adults want Trump to run for a third term, with 53% of Republicans in favor. https://twitter.com/YouGov/status/1658765432109876543— YouGov (@YouGov) April 24, 2025
In addition, 56% of all respondents believe Trump will indeed launch a 2028 campaign, while 39% say a third bid would be “unthinkable.” Independents split evenly—48% expect a run, 52% dismiss the possibility—underscoring the nation’s deep uncertainty about constitutional norms versus political loyalty.
The poll’s release followed Trump’s own teasing at a rally in Phoenix, where he quipped, “They tell me I can’t run again, but wouldn’t it be something if I did? Imagine that!” His audience roared approval, even as legal scholars stress that the Constitution’s term limit is non-negotiable.
“If we can sell ‘Trump 2028’ hats, maybe we can also rewrite the 22nd Amendment.” https://twitter.com/RepAndyOgles/status/1915423456789012345— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepAndyOgles) April 24, 2025
Constitutional expert Professor Laura Jenkins of Columbia Law warns, “The amendment was ratified precisely to prevent a third term. Any attempt to sideline or reinterpret it would spark an unprecedented legal crisis, almost certainly landing before the Supreme Court.”
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer decried the poll results as “alarming,” urging Republican senators to reaffirm their commitment to term limits. “We must defend the Constitution,” he declared on the Senate floor, before calling for a bipartisan resolution to reaffirm the two-term rule.
“A quarter of Americans upset the Founders—term limits safeguard democracy. We must stand firm.” https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1915601234567890123— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 25, 2025
On the other side, members of the House Freedom Caucus are quietly exploring a constitutional amendment to lift the two-term barrier, arguing the current rule “denies voters choice.” GOP strategist Mark Hanson tells Politico that “public appetite for keeping Trump in office could fuel serious bids for change.”
Historically, the 22nd Amendment arose after FDR’s four terms, reflecting a post-war consensus against executive entrenchment. Yet Trump’s enduring popularity—he still beats President Biden in matchups among the party base—has revived debates over whether that mid-century compromise still serves 21st-century America.
Economist Dr. Rachel Liu of Harvard Kennedy School notes that Trump’s resilience stems from his branding as an “outsider” who defies political norms. “The poll suggests voters admire that maverick image—even at the expense of constitutional boundaries,” she tells Bloomberg.
As Republicans draft a $4.5 trillion tax-and-spending framework, the third-term chatter adds a new wrinkle to party unity. With 25% expressing support for a candidacy that cannot legally occur, GOP leaders face a stark choice: reinforce foundational checks or ride the wave of a potent—and potentially polarizing—political brand.
