ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump recognizes the constitutional constraints and will not pursue a third term, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, even though Trump has publicly declined to rule it out.

Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that his conversations with Trump suggest the president enjoys hinting at the idea of a third term but that he will not pursue it.

"The Trump 2028 cap is one of the most popular that’s ever been produced, and he has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats, whose hair is on fire about the very prospect," he said.

Although some Republicans have suggested amending the Constitution to allow Trump to run again, the speaker said there is no realistic way to make that happen.

“I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution, because it takes about 10 years to do that, as you all know, to allow all the states to ratify what two-thirds of the House and three-fourths of the states would approve,” he said.

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution prohibits a president from being elected more than twice, but that has not prevented Trump from publicly toying with the idea of a third term.

Asked by reporters aboard Air Force One about a potential 2028 presidential run, the president said on Monday: "I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever. It's very terrible. I have my best numbers.”

"Am I not ruling it out? You'll have to tell me," he added.