This week on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart said he’s convinced Donald Trump isn’t planning to leave office in 2029.
“He says he hasn’t thought about it, but of course, we know he’s thought about it because he already has the merch,” Stewart said, showing a photo of Trump with “Trump 2028” hats sitting on his Oval Office desk.
Trump was asked if he might run again in 2028 despite the Constitution’s two-term limit. He replied, “I haven’t really thought about it.” Stewart immediately fired back, “That’s the tell for whenever he’s asked about something he is definitely going to do that is dubious legally, ethically, or morally.”
The audience laughed, but Stewart didn’t stop there. “He’s doing it!” he shouted, calling Trump’s hesitation an obvious sign of intent. He added that the clues are stacking up; from campaign-style rallies to merchandise that shouldn’t even exist.
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Then Stewart pointed to what he called the “biggest sign of all.” Referring to Trump’s decision to demolish the White House East Wing and build a massive ballroom, he said, “You don’t move into a house, knock down a wing, and build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom for the next guy. Trump’s not a house flipper. He’s in it for the long haul.”
The $300 million ballroom project has already drawn controversy. Trump claims it will be partly funded by donors and partly by himself. The space is designed to hold over a thousand guests and will reportedly be ready before the 2028 election season, perfect timing for campaign parties, critics note.
When pressed by reporters this week, Trump didn’t deny a possible third run. “I’d love to,” he said when asked about another campaign. “Am I not ruling it out? You’ll have to tell me.”
That kind of response is typical Trump, testing how far he can go before anyone pushes back.
Trump has hinted at the idea of a third term several times before. In March, he told NBC News that “there are methods” by which he could run again, adding that he was “not joking.” In May, he told Meet the Press that “so many people” want him to do it, even while admitting, “I’m not allowed.”
Comedian Seth Meyers also weighed in on Late Night, saying Trump’s talk about 2028 is just trolling meant to “distract from the fact that he’s historically unpopular.”
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
