By Philip Klinkner, James S. Sherman Professor of Government, Hamilton College

Think Donald Trump cannot be president after his second term ends in January 2029? Think again.

When Trump met with congressional Republicans shortly after his November 2024 election victory, he floated the idea of another term: “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s so good we’ve got to figure something else out.’”

At first glance, this seems like an obvious joke. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is clear that Trump cannot be elected again. The text of the amendment states:

“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person

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