While visiting U.S. military personnel stationed overseas, former President Donald Trump couldn’t resist stirring the pot back home.
During a speech at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East—Trump once again floated the idea of staying in power beyond the constitutional two-term limit.
Hinting at a Third Term—Again
Standing before a crowd of more than 1,000 service members, Trump revisited a claim he’s made many times before: that he won the 2020 presidential election.
With his signature bravado, he declared, “We won three elections, OK? And some people want us to do a fourth. I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”
But this time, he offered a little insight into why he keeps mentioning a potential 2028 run.
“The hottest hat out there says ‘Trump 2028,’” he quipped.
“We’re driving the left crazy when you see that.”
Constitutional Limits and Criticism
While Trump continues to play with the idea of a third term, legal boundaries remain firm.
The U.S. Constitution, via the 22nd Amendment, clearly limits any president to just two terms.
This rule was put in place after Franklin D. Roosevelt won four consecutive terms.
Democratic critics have quickly pointed out that Trump’s teasing isn’t just for laughs—they argue it’s part of a broader effort to undermine constitutional norms and stir unrest among his base.
Taking Shots at Political Rivals
Trump didn’t keep his focus solely on international affairs during his Middle East visit.
At a business breakfast in Doha, he threw shade at a potential 2028 Democratic contender: former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Mocking Buttigieg’s well-known bike commutes during his time in Washington, Trump said, “Can you believe it? He’s running the biggest air system in the world, and he takes a bicycle to work… and they say he’s going to run for president.”
With a chuckle, he added, “I don’t see it. Who knows, but I don’t see it.”
Buttigieg Fires Back
Meanwhile, Buttigieg had a few words of his own while visiting Cedar Rapids, Iowa—an appearance that’s already fueling speculation about his own presidential ambitions in 2028.
The former mayor of South Bend didn’t hold back his criticism of Trump and his loyal followers.
“There is a parade of horribles emanating from this White House,” Buttigieg remarked during his stop.
“The American people bow to no king.”
He also reflected on his own 2020 campaign, especially the chaotic Iowa caucus.
“I was sort of winning the Iowa caucus,” he said with a smirk, referencing the infamous tech meltdown that delayed the official results.
Eventually, Buttigieg was declared the winner under the traditional delegate count, although Senator Bernie Sanders claimed victory in terms of raw votes.
A Changing Democratic Landscape
Since then, the Democratic Party has changed how it conducts its primaries.
Under President Biden’s guidance, Iowa lost its prized first-in-the-nation status.
Now, South Carolina holds that spot—a move widely seen as an effort to ensure more diverse representation in the early stages of the primary race.
As Trump toys with the idea of another campaign and Democrats reposition themselves for the future, the political stage for 2028 is already starting to take shape.
Whether these early jabs and teases lead to actual campaigns remains to be seen—but one thing’s clear: the drama is already building.