Yuri Gripas - Pool via CNP / MEGAYuri Gripas - Pool via CNP / MEGA

During the recently held White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump declared his intention to seek a “fourth term” in office as he unveiled a red “Trump 2028” hat.

However, Trump’s quip appears to have been made tongue-in-cheek, as he’s currently serving his second term and could not have completed a third before 2028, let alone be seeking a fourth.

The move caused heated debate online, with social media users pointing out that the Constitution limits presidents to two elected terms of four years each.

Donald Trump Says He’s Running For A ‘Fourth Term’

President Donald Trump gave a freewheeling address at Friday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where he declared his intention to run for a “fourth term” in office before doubling down on his unsubstantiated claims about the outcome of the 2020 election.

Trump made the declaration while addressing an array of journalists, politicians, and media executives, but appeared sarcastic in his delivery.

“To show just how much I care about the press, and because I want to save your ratings, I’m pleased to announce my intention to run for a fourth term as President of the United States,” Trump told the audience.

Referring to his belief that he won the 2020 election in addition to his victories in 2016 and 2024, he added, “I won three times, now I’m going to do it again.”

Immediately after making the declaration, the President donned a red baseball cap bearing the slogan “Trump 2028,” drawing a mix of laughter, applause, and murmurs from the room.

Trump Revisits His Claims Of A ‘Rigged Election’

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The billionaire politician didn’t stop there. While taking in the applause, he thanked the crowd before doubling down on his claims of misconduct in the 2020 election.

He praised himself for being good at running for President and again claimed he won three times, despite officially winning only in 2016 and 2024. Trump lost the 2020 election to former President Joe Biden but has repeatedly claimed the contest was fraudulent.

“It’s a rigged election, but we don’t have to talk about it,” he said.

Trump, who has had a contentious relationship with much of the news media since returning to the Oval Office, went further by mocking the press and saying they’re all “going to be broke” when he’s gone.

“Your business model is going to be finished,” he continued. “When I’m not around, you’re gonna be broke. There’s not going to be anybody to report on. Nobody gives a damn about anybody else.”

Donald Trump Has Floated Staying In Office Before

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This isn’t the first time Trump has commented on running for office again, despite the Constitution barring anyone from being elected President more than twice.

Last year, he was asked about the possibility of running for a third term, to which he responded, “I haven’t really thought about it. But I have the best poll numbers that I’ve ever had.”

Seemingly responding to growing concerns about the constitutional provision, he said, “There are methods which you could do it.”

“I’m not joking… a lot of people want me to do it,” he added. “But, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration.”

On another occasion, he was asked whether he would want to keep serving in “the toughest job in the country.”

“Well, I like working,” he replied.

Trump’s ‘Fourth Term’ Joke Sparks Backlash

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Trump’s continued references to remaining in office beyond two terms have drawn sharp reactions across social media.

“Every Republican trying to say this is a ‘joke’ and he’s ‘just kidding’ really needs to shut the f-ck up and realize that a man of his caliber and power should NEVER be joking about something this ILLEGAL AND SERIOUS!” an X user wrote. “Get this f-cker out now before it’s too late.”

Another user said, “He’s a megalomaniac. He thinks we’re doing good? He thinks he’s doing good?? He’s delusional. He allowed our country to be occupied by IZZY. He is sending all our money there. Make America great MY -ZZ.”

WHCD Returns After Gunman Disrupted April Event

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Friday’s event marked a defiant response to the attack the White House Correspondents’ Dinner suffered about three months earlier, when a gunman opened fire in an alleged plot to kill Trump and his top advisers.

Security protocols were ramped up, with measures including a private entrance, QR-code ticketing, and airport-style screening for all attendees.

Weijia Jiang, President of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), explained why the organization forged ahead with the event despite the disruption caused by the gunman during the ill-fated April edition.

“I don’t want images of my colleagues hiding under a table to be the last images from this year, of all years,” she said, per PEOPLE.

Jiang continued, “I want us to stand together and to show that we are not gonna be intimidated — that we are going to come back stronger, and we are going to recognize all the people who have done such hard work.”

The Donald Trump Jokes About ‘Running For A Fourth Term’ At Rescheduled WHCD first appeared on The Blast