Fact Check: "Trump will be president until 2029"
What We Know
Donald Trump is currently serving as the President of the United States, having been inaugurated for his second term on January 20, 2025. His current term is set to expire on January 20, 2029, which means he will serve until that date unless he is removed from office or resigns (GovTrack). Trump has previously served as president from January 20, 2017, until January 20, 2021, making him eligible for a second non-consecutive term under the U.S. Constitution.
The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that no person can be elected to the office of the President more than twice (NPR). This amendment was ratified in 1951 and was a response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office. Therefore, while Trump can serve until 2029, he is ineligible to run for a third term in the 2028 election due to this constitutional restriction (Wikipedia).
Analysis
The claim that "Trump will be president until 2029" is accurate in terms of the timeline of his current presidency. However, the assertion implies that he may have the opportunity to extend his presidency beyond that date, which is misleading. The 22nd Amendment prohibits any individual from being elected president more than twice, and legal experts widely agree that this restriction applies to Trump, regardless of any potential attempts to circumvent it (New York Times, BBC).
Despite Trump's public comments suggesting he might explore ways to serve a third term, such as becoming vice president and then ascending to the presidency again, these ideas are largely speculative and not grounded in constitutional law (Reuters). The consensus among constitutional scholars is that there are no legitimate avenues for Trump to serve more than two terms, making any claims to the contrary unfounded (NPR, AP News).
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump will be president until 2029" is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the timeline of his current presidency, it misleadingly suggests the possibility of him extending his presidency beyond that date. The constitutional limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment firmly restrict him from seeking a third term, which is a critical aspect of the claim that must be acknowledged.
Sources
- President Donald Trump [R, 2025-2029], President of the United States ...
- Presidents can be elected twice. Trump could try end runs ...
- 2028 United States presidential election - Wikipedia
- No, Trump Cannot Run for Re-election Again in 2028
- Trump says he's considering ways to serve a third term as ...
- Trump says he won't seek a third term
- Second presidency of Donald Trump
- Can Donald Trump serve a third term as US president?