Trump Boasts About Soaring Approval Ratings, Teases Third Term Run — But Are They Real?

Engaging in legal battles on multiple fronts and facing economic disputes with long-established allies worldwide, Donald Trump is convinced he can secure a third presidential term, citing poll numbers that support his currently unconstitutional goal.

“I’m absolutely serious,” Trump starkly declared to NBC News’ Kristen Welker on Sunday about his intention to extend his presidency beyond January 20, 2029. “I’m not kidding at all.”

“To put it bluntly, I’m leading with the highest poll numbers seen by any Republican in the past century,” Trump explained during a phone conversation from another weekend in Florida. “Polls show us in the high seventies, the legitimate polls. We’re extremely popular,” he added. “Many people would support this move. Yet, we have a long road ahead, it’s still early in the administration.”

Trump, known for his directness and unlike many of his political counterparts, often reveals his actions before executing them. Today, having served as both the 45th and 47th President, he was particularly forthcoming.

Watch on Deadline

Visibly frustrated by the lack of a ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump disclosed his thoughts on a third term to Welker: “There are ways it can be done, you know this.” When pressed for details on methods within the framework of the 22nd Amendment, the host of Meet the Press diverted the discussion towards the constitutional details.

Transcript excerpt:

KRISTEN WELKER: What about a scenario where President Vance runs and wins, then hands over the presidency to you?

DONALD TRUMP: That’s one possibility. There are others.

KRISTEN WELKER: Others? Could you share another?

DONALD TRUMP: No.

Dismissing the idea of Vance as a mere placeholder, Trump suggested he might let his vice president assume the role after his current term. “It’s too premature to say.”

Since his inauguration on January 20, and throughout the past election cycle, Trump has repeatedly toyed with the idea of a third term. However, his recent interview with the Comcast-owned network marks his most earnest expression of this controversial ambition. The constitutional path for anyone seeking more than two full presidential terms is nonexistent unless an amendment is changed, which requires a two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states—a highly unlikely scenario.

Trump’s candid remarks today included, “I hope you’ll note, I have the highest ratings of any Republican in a century.”

While it’s presumed he was referring to approval ratings rather than television ratings, the discussion swiftly reverted to the topic of a third term. Despite his claims, Trump’s approval ratings are mixed, with a recent Reuters/Ipso poll showing him at 45% and a CBS poll reporting an even split at 50% approval and disapproval.

In comparison to Joe Biden (57%) and Barack Obama (69%) at similar points in their presidencies, Trump’s ratings are lower. Even among Republican presidents in the last 50 years, his ratings fall short of George W. Bush’s 90% post-9/11 high and George H.W. Bush’s 89% following Operation Desert Storm.

Amid these revelations, the opposition has largely remained silent. However, DNC Chairman Ken Martin recently criticized Trump’s focus on a third term rather than addressing pressing national issues.

Meanwhile, Democratic approval ratings hover at a record low of about 29% among the American public.