Inside Donald Trump’s Alleged Third-Term Plot — and the Court That Might Let It Happen
Donald Trump may be planning something that could shock America — a third presidential term. The U.S. Constitution clearly bans anyone from serving more than two terms as president, but author Michael Wolff claims Trump might try to challenge that rule and push the limits of democracy itself.
During an episode of The Daily Beast’s podcast Inside Trump’s Head, Wolff described Trump’s recent behavior as that of an authoritarian leader. He said Trump seems to be tightening his grip on power by attacking political rivals, trying to control the courts and the media, and isolating Democratic-led states.
Wolff warned that Trump might already be working on ways to keep winning elections beyond what the law allows. He mentioned that Trump could use “mechanisms” — meaning systems or loopholes — to ensure his continued success at the polls.
At first, Wolff didn’t believe Trump would ever try to run again after 2028. But now, he says it’s a real possibility because Trump might feel he has to remain in power to avoid legal trouble. “The problem with an authoritarian,” Wolff explained, “is that to escape punishment, he has to stay in power.” In other words, Trump’s survival could depend on never stepping down.
This warning doesn’t sound far-fetched when you consider what Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett recently said. In an interview with The New York Times, Barrett admitted that the Supreme Court can’t actually enforce its decisions if a president refuses to obey them.
Her exact words were: “The Court lacks the power of the purse. We lack the power of the sword.”
That means the Court has no money or military power to make a president follow its rulings. If Trump decided to ignore the Constitution and run again, the Court might not be able to stop him. Many Americans already believe the Court has shown favoritism toward Trump in certain cases, raising fears about what would happen if he simply declared that the 22nd Amendment — the one limiting presidents to two terms — doesn’t apply to him.
Barrett’s “originalist” approach to the Constitution adds another layer of concern. She interprets the law based on how it was understood in the 1700s, which leaves room for dangerous hypotheticals — like what happens if a president refuses to accept that the Court has authority over him.
Wolff’s point, however, isn’t just about whether Trump can run again — it’s about why he might feel he must. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former strategist, reportedly believes that Trump could end up in jail if Democrats win the 2028 election. According to Wolff, this fear of what might happen under Democratic control is the driving force behind Trump’s determination to stay in power. For him, staying president might not just be about politics anymore — it might be about survival.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is considering several key cases that could reshape future elections in ways that benefit Republicans. Some of these cases could weaken the Voting Rights Act and let red states redraw voting districts to make it harder for Democrats to win. Wolff says that if these rulings go the GOP’s way, Trump’s path to extended power could come together much faster than people expect.
Adding fuel to the speculation, a recent White House photo showed Trump sitting beside lawmakers with “Trump 2028” hats on the Resolute Desk — a bold image that got everyone talking.
Over the years, Trump has joked about serving “three or four terms,” even selling merchandise that hints at the idea. But now, with a Supreme Court that leans in his favor and a Congress filled with loyal supporters, those jokes seem to be turning into a plan.
Some even suggest that Trump could run as someone else’s vice president. If that person won and later stepped down, Trump could legally step back into power — a loophole that technically exists. It’s an idea straight out of a political thriller, but Trump has never been shy about testing boundaries.
At this point, he seems to be daring the system to try and stop him.
