How ‘dictator-style’ Donald Trump ‘could run for third term’
According to journalist and author Michael Wolff, Donald Trump could try to stay in power beyond the constitutionally allowed two terms – with the Supreme Court potentially clearing the way for him.
RadarOnline.com can reveal that he believes the US president’s recent actions indicate a calculated attempt to “curtail mechanisms of continued power” and position himself as a quasi-religious figure following what he has called “peace in the Middle East.”
Wolff said: “The thing about an authoritarian… You can go down the list here of Donald Trump targeting – specifically targeting – his political opponents, Donald Trump exerting increasing control over courts, media, universities, corporations, of him explicitly targeting governors and legislatures of blue states, and finally locking down the mechanisms that can ensure continued electoral success.”
He added: “These are clearly the moves of an authoritarian. The problem with this is that an authoritarian breaks so many rules and makes so many enemies that to avoid retaliation he has to stay in power. That’s the nature of the game being played.”
Wolff, who previously doubted Trump would attempt a third run, said his views on the prospect have now changed.
“I’m going to take it back,” he said. “I think it becomes a very real possibility that he will remove the barriers to a third term. If you think about it, as he continues on this course, he will have to do that because the consequences of the Democrats taking power would be devastating.”
The comments follow Trump’s self-congratulatory declaration that he had achieved “peace in the Middle East” after brokering a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. During a whirlwind visit to the region, Trump hailed what he called “the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” hours after Hamas released the last 20 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
However, analysts warned that the deal would leave a series of key issues unresolved, including the disarmament of Hamas and Israeli control of Gaza. At a joint press conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Trump said talks on the next phase of the plan had already begun.
“We finally have peace in the Middle East,” he said at the time. “This is the beginning of a new era of cooperation that will extend far beyond Israel and Gaza – perhaps even to Iran.”
Wolff suggested that Trump’s triumphalist rhetoric, combined with his increasing control over the judiciary and political apparatus, could encourage him to test the limits of presidential power.
“If he is going to dominate the government and all branches of government for four years,” Wolff said, “he will not give that up easily.”
The speculation comes as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on a challenge to the 1965 Voting Rights Act that could further entrench Republican dominance in Congress.
One source claimed: “There is a feeling among Trump advisers that if the Court limits federal oversight of the elections, Trump’s grip on power could effectively extend beyond 2028, regardless of whether the Constitution says so. He is like a dictator and believes he should be canonized for his actions in the Middle East.”
Trump has been toying with the idea of staying in power indefinitely for years. He has publicly joked about having served “three or four times” and refused to rule out another term. His campaign store has even sold “Trump 2028” hats — a gesture that now looks less like trolling and more like foreshadowing.
The White House sent a photo of Trump grinning behind the Resolute Desk, surrounded by lawmakers and some of those same red “Trump 2028” hats.
Wolff emphasized that Trump’s latest “peace deal” has only deepened his sense of self-interest.
He said: “When a leader begins to see himself as chosen or indispensable, that is when the democratic system becomes most vulnerable.”
