White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt recently made waves by publicly breaking with Donald Trump over his comments about running for president again in 2028. While Trump has repeatedly suggested that he might pursue a third term, Leavitt took a different stance during a recent briefing, claiming that Trump’s talk about a third presidential run was merely “trolling” the public.
This difference of opinion came during Leavitt’s second “new media” briefing, an event where she speaks directly to a group of mostly Trump supporters. The briefing is a relatively informal event designed to engage with Trump’s base and offer direct communication between the White House and its supporters.
During this particular session, Leavitt participated in a lighthearted game called “Trump Troll or Trump Truth,” where she was asked to evaluate whether certain statements made by Trump were genuine or just jokes meant to stir up the public.
When asked about Trump’s past proclamations, Leavitt affirmed that some of his most famous remarks, such as the idea of invading Greenland or making Canada the 51st state, were indeed serious, calling them “Trump truths.” However, when it came to Trump’s remarks about running for president in 2028, Leavitt was unequivocal in her response.
“Trump trolling,” she said, dismissing the notion that the former president was seriously considering another run. Despite her comments, Leavitt did acknowledge that the “TRUMP 2028” hats sold by the Trump Organisation were a hot commodity, noting that they were flying off the shelves at $50 each. These red hats, which boldly proclaim “TRUMP 2028,” have been promoted heavily by Trump’s son, Eric Trump, as part of the former president’s ongoing brand efforts.
Leavitt’s comments stand in stark contrast to Trump’s repeated statements regarding his future political ambitions. While Leavitt framed his remarks as a joke, Trump has insisted on several occasions that he was serious about considering a third term. In interviews and public statements, Trump has said that although it is “too early to talk about it,” he is “not joking” about the possibility of running again in 2028.
In fact, Trump has gone so far as to suggest that there might be “methods” to bypass the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms in office. This suggestion has drawn widespread criticism and scepticism, with many legal experts questioning whether such a move would be feasible or even legal. Trump’s remarks about using “methods” to circumvent the Constitution raised eyebrows, as it seemed to suggest that he was open to finding loopholes in the law to stay in office longer.
However, after making these statements, Trump appears to have walked back some of his more controversial comments. In an interview with TIME magazine, Trump clarified that he did not “believe in” using “loopholes” to extend his presidency.
He further told The Atlantic that a third term was “not something that I’m looking to do,” distancing himself from the idea of trying to change the law to allow him to run again. Still, despite these clarifications, Trump has not fully closed the door on the idea of a third term, and his comments have left some of his supporters hopeful that he might eventually make a move to shatter the long-standing democratic norm that limits presidents to two terms.
One of the most notable aspects of Trump’s comments is his claim that many of his supporters are urging him to stay in the White House. He has suggested that he is simply responding to the will of the people, claiming that his base wants him to return to office. While this might be true for a segment of his supporters, a new poll has shown that the majority of Americans are opposed to the idea of Trump running for a third term.
An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, released just a few days ago, found that 62 per cent of Americans do not want Trump to run again in 2028. This is a significant majority, and it suggests that Trump’s political fortunes may not be as strong as he would like to believe.
While he remains popular among a core group of supporters, his broader appeal appears to be shrinking, especially as the idea of him running for a third term remains deeply unpopular with the general public.
Despite the polling numbers and Leavitt’s claims that Trump is simply “trolling,” the former president has not backed down from the idea of running again. He has left the door open for a potential third term, and he continues to hint that he might consider it if the political climate changes. This has led to ongoing speculation about what Trump’s future holds and whether he could once again challenge the status quo by running for president again.
In some ways, Trump’s 2028 comments are part of a broader pattern of his behaviour, in which he regularly makes bold and controversial statements that generate media attention and stir up his supporters. Whether he is truly serious about running again or simply playing the media for attention, it is clear that Trump remains a highly influential figure in American politics. His ability to shape the political conversation, even years after his presidency ended, is a testament to his enduring influence over his base.
For now, it seems that Trump’s official position on the 2028 election remains fluid. He has waffled between claiming he’s not interested in a third term and suggesting that he might be open to the idea. His most recent comments about the 22nd Amendment, combined with Leavitt’s dismissal of the concept as “trolling,” show that the former president’s thoughts on his political future are far from settled.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump will likely continue to keep the public guessing about whether he’ll seek a third term in 2028—or if he’ll continue to make headlines with his provocative statements about the future of his political career.
Leavitt’s comments, while downplaying the seriousness of Trump’s 2028 ambitions, highlight the ongoing tension within the Republican Party as it grapples with Trump’s enduring influence. While some in the party may be ready to move on from the former president, others are still rallying behind him, eager for a return to the White House. As the 2024 election looms, the question of Trump’s political future will likely remain a central topic of discussion.
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