Trump welcomes idea of hypothetical run against Obama as he floats third term

President Trump on Monday welcomed the idea of a hypothetical election matchup with former President Barack Obama in the event the two men were allowed to run for a third term, something that is prohibited by the Constitution.

“I know it’s hypothetical right now, but if you're allowed for some reason to run for a third term, is there a thought that Democrats could try to run Barack Obama against you?” Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Trump in the Oval Office.

“I'd love that. That would be a good one. I’d like that,” Trump replied.

“No, People are asking me to run. I don’t know, I never looked into it. And they do say there's a way you can do it, but I don’t know about that,” Trump continued. “But I have not looked into it. I want to do a fantastic job…it’s still close to four years.”

Trump has revived speculation about whether he would pursue a third term in 2028 after he declined to rule it out in an interview over the weekend with NBC News. He has repeatedly said that allies are pushing for him to do so, even though the 22nd Amendment prohibits presidents from being elected to more than two terms.

Many lawmakers have largely waved away Trump’s comments as a serious threat. Changing the Constitution would require approval from two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress, as well as from three-fourths of states, something that has virtually no chance of happening.

White House officials and sources close to the administration have largely avoided suggesting Trump is serious about serving another term, describing it as a way to troll critics and get a rise out of Democrats and the media.

"Look, you guys continue to ask the president this question about a third term and then he answers honestly and candidly with a smile and then everybody here melts down about his answer,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday.

Trump has twice during speeches to other Republicans raised the idea after talking about his fundraising prowess. During a Black History Month event at the White House, it was Trump who asked the crowd if he should run again. And during a St. Patrick’s Day gathering at the Capitol, Trump quipped that he hoped to host the Taoiseach for the event “at least” three more times.