Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has once again thrust himself into the center of American political intrigue, this time by openly discussing the prospect of former President Donald Trump seeking a third term in the White House in 2028. During a recent appearance on NewsNation’s “Batya!” segment, Bannon fueled speculation that Trump and his inner circle are actively exploring unconventional strategies to bypass the 22nd Amendment, which clearly states that no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice.
Bannon’s comments, made on Saturday, October 11, 2025, have reignited debate over presidential term limits and the lengths to which Trump’s supporters might go to keep him in power. When host Batya Ungar-Sargon asked whether the 22nd Amendment would be a barrier for Trump, Bannon responded with characteristic bravado: “I fully intend to see President Trump on the ballot in 2028 and to return to office, to continue the great run he’s had as the 47th president.” According to NewsNation, Bannon went on to cryptically suggest that there are “different alternatives” that could allow Trump to run again, despite the constitutional prohibition.
“But I think there are different alternatives to make sure that President Trump is on the ballot, and if he’s on the ballot, he’ll win,” Bannon added, as reported by NewsNation. The statement, vague yet provocative, has left many political observers speculating about what those alternatives might entail. Bannon, who was dismissed from his White House post in 2017, has remained a vocal and influential figure in Trump’s orbit, often serving as a bellwether for the former president’s most ambitious—and controversial—plans.
This was not the first time Bannon has hinted at efforts to secure Trump’s return beyond the traditional two-term limit. Back in March 2025, during an interview with NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo, Bannon revealed that work was already underway to make Trump’s reelection a reality. “We’re working on it. I think we’ll have a couple of alternatives, let’s say that,” Bannon told Cuomo. “We’ll see what the definition of term limit is.”
Cuomo, sensing the gravity of Bannon’s remarks, pressed for clarification to dispel any notion of unlawful maneuvering. “I want people to get a straight take on where your head is,” Cuomo said. Bannon, however, remained steadfast, replying, “We’ve had greater long shots than Trump 2028, and we’ve got a lot of stuff we’re working on there.” He further stated, “We’re not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple months, I think we will be.” According to NewsNation, Bannon’s refusal to elaborate has only fueled further speculation about what strategies might be in play.
While Bannon’s comments have certainly stoked the fires, it is Donald Trump himself who has kept the idea of a third term alive in the public imagination. Trump has been publicly toying with the notion since at least 2020, often in a manner that blurs the line between jest and serious intent. In March 2025, during an interview with NBC News, Trump was asked directly about the possibility of a third term. His response was both enigmatic and intriguing: “There are methods which you could do it,” Trump said. When pressed about a hypothetical scenario in which Vice President JD Vance would run for office and then transfer the presidency to Trump, the former president replied, “That’s one” method. He then added, “But there are others, too,” declining to elaborate further.
Trump’s repeated references to potential loopholes and alternative strategies have alarmed some constitutional scholars and political opponents, who see any attempt to circumvent the 22nd Amendment as a direct threat to the foundations of American democracy. The amendment, ratified in 1951 in response to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency, was intended to ensure that no individual could hold the nation’s highest office for more than eight years. Any attempt to undermine this principle, critics argue, would set a dangerous precedent.
Yet, for Trump’s most ardent supporters, the idea of a third term is less about legal technicalities and more about a continued movement. Bannon’s comments reflect a sentiment among some in Trump’s base that the former president’s leadership is so vital that extraordinary measures are justified. “If he’s on the ballot, he’ll win,” Bannon confidently declared, echoing the belief that Trump’s appeal remains undiminished despite the constitutional roadblocks.
The notion that Vice President JD Vance could serve as a placeholder, only to step aside and allow Trump to assume the presidency, is one of the scenarios floated by Trump himself. However, legal experts point out that such a maneuver would likely face immediate and overwhelming legal challenges, not to mention fierce political backlash. The Constitution’s language is clear: “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice.” Even if a vice president were to resign or otherwise vacate the office, the line of succession and eligibility requirements would remain in force.
Still, the fact that these ideas are being discussed openly by figures like Bannon and Trump speaks to the extraordinary polarization of American politics in 2025. For some, it is a sign of creative political thinking; for others, it is a harbinger of constitutional crisis. The very act of floating such possibilities, critics say, undermines trust in the democratic process and further erodes the norms that have governed presidential transitions for generations.
It remains to be seen what “alternatives” Bannon and his allies are considering. In his own words, “We’re not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple months, I think we will be.” Whether these alternatives involve legal challenges, legislative maneuvers, or something more unconventional is anyone’s guess. What is clear is that the conversation around Trump’s political future is far from over—and that the former president’s influence continues to shape the national discourse in unpredictable ways.
As the country inches closer to another election cycle, the question of term limits and the durability of constitutional safeguards is likely to become a central issue. For now, the American public is left to ponder whether the talk of a Trump third term is mere political theater or the opening salvo in a new and unprecedented chapter of U.S. politics.
Regardless of what unfolds, the debate sparked by Bannon’s comments serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between tradition and ambition in American government. As history has shown, the resilience of democratic institutions is often tested not by ordinary times, but by extraordinary ambitions.
