President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that it is "pretty clear" he cannot seek a third term in office due to constitutional restrictions. This acknowledgment comes after speculation about a potential run, fueled by comments from some of his allies.

While aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, Trump told reporters, "I have my highest poll numbers that I've ever had, and, you know, based on what I read, I guess I'm not allowed to run. So, we'll see what happens." He emphasized, "I would say that if you read it, it's pretty clear. I'm not allowed to run. It's too bad, but we have a lot of great people."

House Speaker Mike Johnson also weighed in on the matter, stating he does not see a viable path for Trump to pursue a third term. Johnson remarked, "It's been a great run, but I think the president knows, and he and I have talked about, the constrictions of the Constitution, as much as so many of the American people lament that." He explained that any amendment to the Constitution would take a significant amount of time, making it unlikely for Trump to run again.

Johnson, a constitutional lawyer, noted, "I don't see a way to amend the Constitution because it takes about 10 years to do that. 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. But I can tell you that we are not going to take our foot off the gas pedal."

Despite his acknowledgment of the constitutional limits, Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of running for a third term. On Monday, he expressed enthusiasm about a potential 2028 bid, saying he would "love to do it." However, he later ruled out the idea of running as vice president, calling it "too cute" and suggesting it would not be well-received by the public.

Trump's comments come amid ongoing discussions about his political future, including merchandise like "Trump 2028" hats that have surfaced near the Oval Office. The conversation gained traction last week when Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser, claimed there was a plan for Trump to run for a third term. However, some officials viewed Bannon's remarks as self-serving, given his diminished connection to Trump’s inner circle.

As the political landscape evolves, Trump's statements reflect both his popularity and the constitutional limitations that govern presidential terms in the United States. The 22nd Amendment explicitly prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice, a fact that Trump seems to acknowledge, despite his previous musings about a third term.