Olusegun Ariyo
Barely one week after his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of contesting for a third term.
Trump said he has raised the finances to run for a third term as US President.
The US Constitution does not permit anyone to be elected President more than twice.
Speaking with House Republicans at a gathering on Monday, Trump said: “I’ve raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I can’t use for myself, but I’m not 100 percent sure.
“I think I’m not allowed to run again. Am I allowed to run again?”
Questioning the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, Trump asked: “Mike, I better not get you involved in that.”
Johnson, a former constitutional lawyer, chuckled at Trump’s comments.
Other lawmakers at the event also had a good laugh.
Trump previously dismissed insinuations that he would seek a third term.
However, after winning the 2024 presidential election, he light-heartedly hinted that he would be open to a third term during a chat with Republican lawmakers.
“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you do something,” Trump had said.
“Unless you say, ‘he’s so good’, we have to just figure it out.”
Last week, Andy Ogles, a Republican House member, introduced a bill seeking to allow Trump to run for a third term.
Ogles said Trump “has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history” capable of “restoring America to greatness”.
