Donald Trump continued to tease an illegal third term as US President on Monday — insisting that he “would love” the chance. The POTUS however ruled out any possibility of contesting the 2028 elections as a Vice Presidential candidate. He insisted that the idea was “too cute” and would not find favour among MAGA fans.

“I would be allowed to do that…but I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute. Yeah, I would rule that out because it’s too cute. I think the people wouldn’t like that. It’s too cute. It’s not – it wouldn’t be right,” he told reporters on board Air Force One.

Key Trump allies including Steve Banon have repeatedly cited plans to test the two-term limit laid out in the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment. Trump has also publicly spoken about a third term at rallies and interviews. He continues to sell “Trump 2028” hats — referring to the next presidential election.

Republicans divided

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday he had discussed the limits of the U.S. Constitution with President Donald Trump, and that there was not enough time to amend the founding document to allow the Republican a third White House term.

Trump, 79, on Monday declined to definitively say he would not seek a third term, keeping alive speculation about how he might seek to extend his time in office.

“It’s been a great run. But I think the president knows, and he and I have talked about, the constrictions of the Constitution,” Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill, adding that he had most recently talked to Trump an hour ago during the president’s Asia trip.

“I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution because it takes about 10 years to do that, as you all know, to allow all the states to ratify … what two-thirds of the House and three-fourths of the states would approve. I don’t see the path for that,” he said.

Trump’s allies, including Steve Bannon, have cited plans to test the two-term limit laid out in the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment. Trump has publicly talked about it at rallies and sells “Trump 2028” hats, referring to the next presidential election that year.

“He has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats whose hair is on fire about the very prospect” of another Trump term, Johnson said. Trump’s current term ends in January 2029.

Trump on Monday also pointed to Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “great people” who could seek the presidency in 2028.

If he did try to seek another term, Trump would be 82 in 2028, making him the oldest U.S. president in history.

Stephen Bannon, a Trump ally, has repeatedly said the president could serve a third term despite a constitutional prohibition. Trump himself has flirted with the idea.Asked about it on Air Force One, Trump said, “I haven’t really thought about it.” He rejected the possibility of running for vice president as a way to get back to the presidency, saying, “I’d be allowed to do it” but wouldn’t because “it’s too cute.”Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance as potential future Republican candidates.“I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two. I think if they ever formed a group, it would be unstoppable,” he said.