To the people downvoting, the point is that the headline is misleading. No one is saying that Trump's statements are ok

For example, these previous incidents were not announcements either. It's a BAD thing that he keeps making statements like this, jokes or not, but there's still a difference between announcing a re-election bid and testing the water with "jokes".

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-jokes-running-third-term-speech-house-republicans-rcna189530

Jan 2025

Trump jokes about running for a third term in speech to House Republicans

It's not the first time the president has publicly mused about seeking another four years in the White House, which would be barred by the Constitution.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-trump-has-said-about-pursuing-a-third-term/

Dec 2025

The comments came after he told NBC in March that he was "not joking" about seeking another term in office, after repeatedly publicly musing about the possibility. He also said at the time that despite the constitutional limitations, "there are methods which you could do it."

Yes, you are technically right about that. But it doesn't change the more important point.

your recent comments are about him cloaking his intent or desire in feigned humour. I don’t disagree that he’s doing that. But, he does not need to do that if he has actually announced a re-election bid.

I think he (on a subconscious level) knows this would basically sign his death warrant if he officially did it cold turkey like you say would show it was real. That's probably why he did it like this: to ease his way into doing it.

To use a relevant metaphor: raping children right away doesn’t work. They're dry and scared. You gotta lube up first. This was him opening the lube bottle.

Yes