In a move that has reignited fierce debate over the limits of presidential power, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has publicly declared his intention to see Donald Trump on the ballot in 2028, despite the U.S. Constitution’s clear restriction on serving more than two elected terms. Bannon’s remarks, made during an interview on NewsNation’s “Batya!” segment on October 11, 2025, have set off a political firestorm, with supporters and critics alike questioning both the feasibility and legality of such a maneuver.
During the interview with host Batya Ungar-Sargon, Bannon was asked outright whether the 22nd Amendment—which states that no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice—would serve as a barrier to Trump’s potential run. Bannon’s response was as bold as it was cryptic: “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.” He added, “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.”
It’s not the first time Bannon has floated the idea of Trump seeking a third term. Back in March 2025, during a conversation with NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo, Bannon said they had already begun “working” on ways to get Trump reelected, despite the constitutional term limit. “We’re working on it. I think we’ll have a couple of alternatives, let’s say that,” he told Cuomo. “We’ll see what the definition of term limit is.”
Pressed by Cuomo for clarification—so that “people don’t think he’s cooking up an insurrection”—Bannon remained steadfast, refusing to elaborate. “We’ve had greater long shots than Trump 2028, and we’ve got a lot of stuff we’re working on there,” Bannon said, hinting at ongoing strategizing behind closed doors. “We’re not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple months, I think we will be.”
For many observers, these statements are more than just idle speculation. According to NewsNation, Bannon doubled down on his position during the October interview, asserting, “I think that there are many different alternatives that, at the appropriate time, after the midterms in ’26, we will roll out.” The suggestion that these plans would be unveiled after the 2026 midterm elections has only fueled further speculation about what form these “alternatives” might take—and whether they could withstand legal scrutiny.
Donald Trump himself has not been shy about raising the possibility of a third term. As far back as 2020, Trump has publicly mused about ways he could remain in office beyond the two-term limit. In a conversation with moderator Kristen Welker, Trump said, “There are methods which you could do it.” When asked about a scenario in which Vice President JD Vance would run for office and then transfer the role to him, Trump replied that “that’s one” method, before adding, “But there are others, too,” without offering further detail.
The idea of a vice president stepping down to make way for a former president is, at best, a legal grey area. The 22nd Amendment is unambiguous in its language: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” However, constitutional scholars have debated whether a former two-term president could serve as vice president and then ascend to the presidency through succession. Most legal experts agree that such a tactic would almost certainly trigger a constitutional crisis, and any attempt to push it through would be met with immediate legal challenges.
Bannon, for his part, has dismissed concerns about the legality or ethics of these plans. When Cuomo pressed him about whether he was proposing to “litigate this issue,” Bannon responded, “Chris, as you know, I’ve had greater long shots than this.” He continued, “We’re not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple months, I think we will be.”
The political implications of such a move are profound. Supporters of Trump, emboldened by Bannon’s confidence, argue that the former president’s popularity and influence remain undiminished—and that if there is a legal pathway for him to run again, it should be explored. “If he’s on the ballot, he’ll win,” Bannon insisted during his October appearance on NewsNation, reflecting the belief among Trump’s base that the former president’s return to the White House is not only possible but inevitable.
Critics, however, see these maneuvers as a direct threat to the democratic norms and constitutional safeguards that underpin the American political system. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 in the wake of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, was designed precisely to prevent the consolidation of power in a single individual. Any attempt to circumvent this amendment, they argue, would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the rule of law.
Legal scholars across the political spectrum have weighed in, with most agreeing that the courts would almost certainly be called upon to settle the issue if Trump or his allies attempted to exploit any loopholes. The Supreme Court, which has become a focal point in recent years for contentious political battles, would likely face enormous pressure to rule swiftly and decisively. Until then, the uncertainty surrounding Bannon’s “alternatives” and Trump’s intentions will continue to cast a long shadow over the 2028 election cycle.
It’s worth noting that Bannon’s confidence in “long shots” is not without precedent. Throughout his career, Bannon has been involved in political gambits that, at first glance, seemed implausible—only to later reshape the political landscape. Whether his latest efforts will meet the same fate remains to be seen.
For now, Bannon and his allies remain tight-lipped about the specifics of their plan. “We’re not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple months, I think we will be,” Bannon reiterated, leaving both supporters and critics on edge. The coming months are likely to bring further revelations—and, perhaps, the beginnings of a legal and political battle that could redefine the boundaries of presidential power in the United States.
As the nation looks ahead to the 2028 election, one thing is clear: the question of whether a former president can return for a third term is no longer a hypothetical. With Bannon’s public statements and Trump’s own musings, the stage is set for a confrontation that could test the resilience of the American constitutional system in ways not seen in decades.
Whether these “alternatives” amount to clever legal maneuvering or a serious challenge to the nation’s founding principles, the debate is certain to intensify as the 2026 midterms approach—and as Bannon and his team prepare to reveal their hand.