Cable news commentator Bill O’Reilly has firmly dismissed the idea that former President Donald Trump could run for a third term, calling such suggestions a “fantasy” and emphasizing that he does not consider them worth discussing. O’Reilly’s comments came during an appearance on Chris Cuomo’s NewsNation program, where he was asked about the possibility of Trump seeking another term in office beyond the two allowed by the U.S. Constitution.
O’Reilly, known for his blunt style and often controversial opinions, expressed a strong stance against the notion, saying it is highly unlikely and not something that will happen. “That’s a fantasy, and I don’t really consider those kinds of things,” O’Reilly stated during the segment.
“It’s not gonna happen, never will happen. It’s not worth my time or your time. Donald Trump will serve out his second term, hopefully he’ll be successful, and then JD Vance will run for president in ’28, unless something happens. That’s what’s gonna happen.”
O’Reilly’s prediction for the future of American politics comes in the wake of some recent statements made by Trump, which had raised speculation about the possibility of him staying in power for longer than his second term would allow. Trump turned some heads last week when, during a meeting with Irish leader Taoiseach Micheál Martin, he joked about the prospect of serving in office for three terms.
“Hopefully we’re gonna be doing this at least three more times,” Trump said, causing a stir. “When I say ‘at least,’ they go absolutely crazy.”
The comment was taken by some as a playful remark, but it also fueled speculation among Trump supporters and some of his closest allies about the possibility of him seeking a third term, which would require a change to the Constitution. Despite these comments, O’Reilly remains firm in his belief that Trump will serve only the two terms allotted to him by law, and that the future of the Republican Party will likely see Ohio Senator JD Vance as the party’s presidential candidate in 2028.
“JD Vance will run for president in ’28, unless something happens,” O’Reilly predicted, reinforcing his point that Trump’s political future is tied to finishing out his current term successfully. O’Reilly also dismissed any notion of Trump remaining in office beyond his second term as unrealistic, stating that Trump’s political career will be limited to the two terms he is constitutionally permitted to serve.
O’Reilly’s dismissive comments about Trump’s potential third term come after a number of statements from Trump’s allies that have expressed support for the idea of Trump staying in power. Former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon, who has been a vocal supporter of the former president, said during a separate appearance on Cuomo’s NewsNation program that Trump would indeed run and win again in 2028.
Bannon, who has remained a staunch defender of Trump even after his time in office, painted a picture of Trump as a once-in-a-lifetime figure in American politics.
“A man like this comes along once every century, if we’re lucky,” Bannon said of Trump. “We’ve got him now.” Bannon’s words reflect a sentiment shared by many of Trump’s supporters, who believe that his leadership and influence over the Republican Party are unparalleled, and that his return to the presidency in 2028 is a distinct possibility. However, O’Reilly did not share this view and dismissed Bannon’s assertion as “fringe stuff.”
“Steve Bannon would like Trump to be president until he’s 112, and … that’s fine,” O’Reilly commented, adding, “It doesn’t mean anything.” O’Reilly’s remarks were a sharp rebuke of the idea that Trump could hold office for an extended period beyond what the Constitution allows.
According to O’Reilly, such ideas are outside the mainstream of political discourse and not something he believes is realistic.
While Trump has made comments that some interpret as hinting at a potential third term, the former president has not directly advocated for this in any formal way. His remarks about serving "at least three more times" were widely seen as a humorous comment, but they were nonetheless seized upon by some of his supporters who view Trump as a political force that should continue for years to come.
However, the U.S. Constitution limits presidents to two terms in office, and any attempt by Trump to run for a third term would require a constitutional amendment, which is a long and difficult process.
Despite the speculation, O’Reilly's stance is clear: he believes Trump’s time in office will come to an end at the conclusion of his second term, and that the Republican Party will look toward a new generation of leadership in 2028. JD Vance, the former venture capitalist and author of Hillbilly Elegy, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022, has been seen by some as a potential future leader of the party.
O’Reilly’s endorsement of Vance as the GOP candidate for 2028 is a reflection of the shift in focus to younger, emerging Republican figures, particularly in the wake of Trump’s eventual exit from the presidency.
As for the idea of Trump seeking a third term, O’Reilly is resolute in his dismissal of the concept. “It’s not gonna happen,” he reiterated. “Never will happen.”
Despite the enthusiasm of some of Trump’s supporters, including figures like Bannon, O’Reilly does not see this as a realistic scenario and has made it clear that he considers it unworthy of further discussion.
O’Reilly’s comments are significant not just because of his reputation as a political commentator but also because they reflect a larger conversation within the Republican Party about its future direction. While Trump continues to hold significant influence over the party, the question of what comes next is looming large.
For O’Reilly, the future of the Republican Party is clear: after Trump’s second term, JD Vance will be the one to lead it into the 2028 election cycle.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the Republican Party faces a pivotal moment in its history. The question of whether Trump will run again in 2024 and, if he does, how he will fare against the growing number of challengers in the Republican field, is one that remains to be seen.
However, regardless of what happens in the immediate future, O’Reilly’s prediction for 2028 points to a post-Trump era, where new voices and new leadership will take center stage within the Republican Party.
