Trump's message - can stay after the 2028 election

Donald Trump

Expert on Trump's words: "He's going to make a Putin?"

Emil Forsberg

Published 19.49

US President Donald Trump. Photo: AP

Donald Trump is opening up for a third term in office.

And there are "several methods" to extend his time in power, he says.

- In other words, he's going to make a Putin? says US expert Dag Blanck.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump was asked if he would consider serving another term and replied:

- Many people want me to do it, he said, clarifying that "he's not kidding."

When asked if there are plans to seek a third term, Trump replied that "there are methods to do it."

NBC then painted a possible scenario in which Vice President JD Vance would run and hand over power to Trump.

- That's a method. But there are others too, Trump replied.

“They want to test the constitution,” says Frida Stranne. Photo: Anders Andersson/TT

Frida Stranne, PhD in Peace and Development Research with a focus on American foreign and security policy, is not surprised.

– It has been something that has been discussed in the circles around him for a few months now. We have heard some people talk about reviewing the possibilities. Then it is about the fact that there is a rule that a president cannot serve more than two terms. But then they want to test whether that only applies where there is a coherent period or whether it can be different if there has been a break in between. As has happened now. And then they want to test the constitution in that way by testing the possibilities if it would work. So that is certainly what he is referring to, I would think. And that is not surprising.

Can it be done like that?

– Well, it is very difficult with the American constitution. All presidents try different ways to strengthen their power. But that is a struggle between the president and the judiciary. It is impossible to say whether it is possible or not to do that. These are new things that must be tried.

What kind of reactions do you think it will arouse?

– Yes, it raises hopes among those who support him about the possibility of extending his presidency. And it will arouse a lot of reactions about abuse of power and that type of discussion among opponents and among many who perceive authoritarian tendencies in his presidency. It will be just as divided as on all other issues, she says.

Dag Blanck wonders why JD Vance would agree to hand over power if he is elected president. Photo: Magnus Hjalmarson Neideman/TT

Dag Blanck, professor of North American studies at Uppsala University, does not believe that Trump's hopes will be fulfilled.

And he questions using JD Vance to hand over power.

– In other words, he will make a Putin? That's what Putin did. No, I think it is extremely unlikely that the Supreme Court would approve it. And why would Vance agree to it?

Getting a constitutional amendment would also be difficult, Blanck believes.

– The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution says that you can only elect your president twice. He has done that now. The only thing you can do is amend the Constitution. And it is a very complicated process. It requires two-thirds of Congress to approve such a bill.

It is extremely unlikely that it will happen. There is a small Republican majority, but not two-thirds. And it also requires three-quarters of the states to approve it. And that's not going to happen.

Does that sound like you're shooting this down?

- I think that's very unlikely. I think the best way would be to amend the Constitution. But this thing about letting a friend choose... That has happened in and of itself, among governors, where spouses have been chosen. But I don't think there's been a case of someone resigning in favor of someone else.