Donald Trump claims right to run for third term at Iowa rally
Addressing supporters in Sioux City, Trump argued that alleged fraud in 2020 entitles him to seek the White House again despite constitutional limits.
Donald Trump has told supporters at a campaign rally in Iowa that he has the "right to run again" for president, reviving claims that he could seek an unconstitutional third term in the White House.
Speaking to a crowd on Thursday evening in Sioux City, Trump framed his argument around his long-standing grievances concerning the 2020 election, asserting that alleged cheating by Democrats nullified the usual rules.
"I don’t know who is going to be your next president and I think the law said, I’m not 100% sure, but I think the law says I’m not allowed to run again," Trump said. "Well, the one thing is different: they cheated us on the second one because we won it three times. So I think I have the right to run again."
Trump laughed and offered a smile as the crowd applauded, before repeating: "I think I have the right to run again because they cheated."
What the 22nd Amendment says
The US Constitution explicitly forbids anyone from being elected president more than twice. Ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms, the 22nd Amendment sets an absolute limit on presidential tenure.
Trump himself acknowledged the legal wall during the same address, noting the strict language governing term limits.
"I’ve studied that phrase for ever," Trump told the rally. "Unfortunately, it’s quite concise. There’s not a lot of wiggle room. It says something to the effect that 'under no circumstances and for any reason will you even consider thinking about running for president if you had – '."
A pattern of teasing 2028
The remarks in Iowa are part of an ongoing pattern of public statements testing reactions to an extended presidency. In October 2025, Trump told reporters he "would love" to pursue a third term, and told a rally crowd in Texas that February that he felt "entitled" to one more term in office.
The Trump commercial store has previously sold "Trump 2028" caps, which Trump wore during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in July.
Allies have frequently brushed aside the statements as political theatre aimed at provoking opponents. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson previously told reporters that Trump simply "has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats", adding that he saw no realistic mechanism to amend the constitution to permit another run.
Political opponents, however, argue the rhetoric reflects a genuine disregard for constitutional boundaries.
The political context
Trump's remarks come as he attempts to mobilise his political base ahead of the November midterm elections, where Republicans are seeking to defend and expand congressional majorities. At recent events, Trump has urged supporters to turn out with the urgency of a presidential election, asking them to vote as though his name were on the ballot.
Whether that appeal succeeds remains an open question as the administration navigates declining poll numbers heading into the vote.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional limit | Two terms | 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution |
| Rally location | Sioux City, Iowa | Trump campaign rally |
Questions readers are asking
Can a US president legally serve a third term?
No. The 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution explicitly bars anyone from being elected to the office of president more than twice.
Why did Trump claim he has the right to run again?
Trump argued at his rally in Iowa that alleged election fraud by Democrats in 2020 effectively deprived him of a rightful term, claiming that gives him justification to run once more.
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump | US political leader who claimed he has the right to seek a third presidential term |
