Kathrine Frich
The lawyer said there was no legal path for it.
In politics, knowing when to step off the stage is rarely easy.
Leaders who enjoy the spotlight often test the limits of the rules just to keep the crowd talking.
Now, one insider is calling out the strategy behind a very familiar rumor.
Just a distraction
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly teased a third run for the White House, even though the US Constitution bars it.
At an Iowa rally this month, the 80-year-old leader insisted he had the “right to run” again, while admitting the “law says that I’m not allowed to”.
According to the Irish star, Trump tied that claim to his false belief that he won the 2020 race. “They cheated us on the second one because we won it three times, so I think I have the right to run again,” he told the crowd.
Behind the scenes, allies have kept the chatter alive. In 2025, Strategist Steve Bannon claimed a “plan” was underway to keep Trump in office, and the Trump Organization has even sold red “Trump 2028” hats, the Daily Mirror reported.
Looking at the racket
Trial lawyer Michael T. van der Veen, who defended Trump during his second impeachment in 2021, does not buy the hype. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he explained why his former boss keeps floating a third run: “Distraction, I think that’s distraction.”
When asked if a legal path exists for another term, van der Veen replied: “Not that I know of!”.
He also weighed in on whether Trump will accept the November 3 midterm results. “Well, I guess that depends on how it goes,” he told the outlet, adding that he had not seen much proof behind past voter fraud claims.
“You serve a tennis ball, and it goes into the net, what do you do? You look at your racket. Not a racket!” van der Veen said, comparing election complaints to human nature.
High midterm stakes
Next month’s congressional vote carries huge risks for the White House. The Daily Mirror noted that voters are frustrated over living costs, tariffs, fuel prices, ICE enforcement, and Trump’s mental fitness, along with foreign tensions involving Iran, Venezuela, and Greenland.
If Republicans lose Congress, Democrats could launch a third impeachment. Still, van der Veen told the Daily Mirror such a move would be pointless because “He’s not going to be able to have a third term, and so I don’t think the goal or the motivation or the objectives are there as they were in the last impeachment.”
Yet the president has hinted at more drastic steps around the election. In a September interview with Time Magazine, Trump did not rule out declaring a national emergency or using the Insurrection Act of 1807, which lets a president deploy troops inside the country.
Pressed by Time Magazine on the limits of his authority, Trump said: “I’m not committing to anything. We’re going to see how it plays out in court.”
