NewsNation correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera on Tuesday predicted Donald Trump’s playbook when it comes to teasing the idea of himself enjoying a potential third term in the White House.
The ex-Fox News personality — and former yearslong friend of the president-elect until he called out his 2020 election lies — wrote on X, formerly Twitter:
“For future reference: President Trump & Co. will soon start chattering about revoking/amending the 22d Amendment, which limits presidents to two four-year terms.”
Trump “just needs 38 of 50 state governments to agree to convene. (3/4ths) Trump won 30 in 2024. Trump in 2028?” he added.
It’s not clear what prompted Rivera’s post.
But former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon this weekend floated the idea of a third Trump term during a speech at the New York Young Republican Club Gala.
Bannon speciously argued that Trump could circumvent the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution (which states, “no person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice”) because he wouldn’t have served his two terms consecutively.
Trump himself has repeatedly teased the idea of a third term, albeit under the cover of alleged jokes.
To actually do so, though, would be incredibly difficult.
Bannon’s comment was described by “Late Night” host Seth Meyers as “an obvious troll.” But as Rivera did, the comedian warned, “But then again, they’re always trolling until they’re not. Republicans are like guys who jokingly propose a three-way with their wife and her best friend. ‘I mean, that’d be so crazy, right? I mean, unless you’re into it…’”
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), meanwhile, last month said Trump’s jokes about staying in the White House past 2028 “are not jokes” but “trial balloons.”
“They are very intentionally designed to soften the response and then to normalize his unconstitutional and anti-democratic goals, the lawmaker told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes.
