Trump Says Democrats ‘Cheated’ Him In 2020, Claims Right To Run For Third Term

US President Donald Trump has once again suggested he could seek a third presidential term, claiming that alleged Democratic cheating in the 2020 election gives him the right to run again despite constitutional restrictions.

Speaking to supporters at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday evening, Trump joked about the restrictions on presidential terms before repeating his long-standing, false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

“I don’t know who is going to be your next president and I think the law said, I’m not 100% sure, but I think the law says I’m not allowed to run again,” The Guardian quoted Trump as saying.

He then argued that the circumstances surrounding the 2020 election gave him grounds to seek the presidency again.

“Well, the one thing is different: they cheated us on the second one because we won it three times. So I think I have the right to run again,” Trump said, laughing.

“I think I have the right to run again because they cheated,” he added, drawing applause from the crowd.

Trump’s remarks are the latest in a series of occasions on which he has floated the possibility of remaining in office beyond his current term. However, the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution bars anyone from being elected president more than twice, making a third elected term unconstitutional under the current rules.

Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of another presidential run, even as allies have played down his comments as jokes. In October 2025, he told reporters that he “would love” to run for a third term. At a rally in Texas in February, he again raised the idea, telling the crowd, “Maybe we should do one more term,” while claiming he was “entitled” to it.

The possibility of a third Trump campaign has also featured in merchandise associated with the president. Last year, the Trump store began selling ‘Trump 2028’ hats, and Trump wore one during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in July.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has dismissed Trump’s third-term remarks as an attempt to provoke his political opponents. Speaking to reporters last year, Johnson said Trump “has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats” and added that he did not see a way to amend the Constitution to allow the president to run again.

Nevertheless, Trump’s repeated references to a third term have prompted concern among his opponents, who question whether the remarks should be treated purely as jokes.

At Thursday’s rally, Trump acknowledged the constitutional restrictions, describing the relevant language as difficult to circumvent.

“I’ve studied that phrase forever. Unfortunately, it’s quite concise. There’s not a lot of wiggle room,” he said, before attempting to paraphrase the constitutional provision.

Despite recognising the restrictions, Trump has continued to invoke the possibility of another term while addressing supporters.

The president, who retains strong backing from his Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, has also urged supporters to vote in November’s US midterm elections as though he were on the ballot. He has called on them to help Republicans gain seats in Congress, although the impact of that strategy remains uncertain as his approval ratings fall to new lows.