3党合流断念、地方議員の受け止めは 「ほっとした」「支持離れた」

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously challenged for a third term during the 2028 presidential election, is showing signs of uncertainty about his ability to win again. According to AP news, Trump recently appeared to believe the 2028 presidential race wouldn't be in his favor and began mentioning his life after leaving the White House in January 2029.

At a recent event in New York Long Island, Trump said, "Your next president will say 'I really did a good job' and will just sit around watching television, not someone who has done anything." He added that if voters don't support his Republican candidate, Trump's accomplishments will be unfairly attributed to the Democratic nominee.

In a Pennsylvania event last month, Trump made similar remarks, saying, "Whomever becomes president next will say how great they are, and I'll be sitting at home saying 'That rotten child, we did all that.'" A week later, Trump claimed he would sit at home and possibly even cry after his term ends. Trump has continued to hint at challenging for a third term, but it's unclear what he really intends.

At a recent White House Correspondents' Association dinner, Trump said, "Like my second term, the third one will be even better. It's a joke." He wore a hat with a "2028" emblem during his speech, indicating his intention to run again. Trump suggested in January 2025 that he had ways to make a third run possible. Trump's speech at a March 15th event in Pennsylvania echoed similar sentiments, urging voters not to support the Democratic nominee, implying that his accomplishments would be unfairly attributed to the other candidate.

Brian Caulfield, a University of Michigan constitutional law professor, said Trump's statements are contradictory, and people tend to find what they want to hear in his words. Caulfield argued in a book that a re-elected Trump could challenge Vice President Mike Pence for the presidency after Trump's term ends. Caulfield noted that Trump is aware of this possibility, but he doesn't believe it's feasible in practice.

The U.S. Constitution's 22nd Amendment prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice. As Trump's term ends later this year, the media reports that he may be contemplating solidifying his legacy.