US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over a potential third presidential term by posting a series of AI-generated videos mocking Democrats while prominently featuring a "TRUMP 2028" campaign cap.
The clips were shared during tense budget negotiations, drawing immediate backlash from Democrats who labelled them "offensive and racist." Trump supporters defended the humour, while critics questioned the timing and appropriateness of the posts given ongoing fiscal talks.
The Trump Organisation began selling the "Trump 2028" cap months ago, fuelling speculation that he may be preparing for another run despite the constitutional two-term limit.
The videos include provocative and surreal portrayals of political figures. One clip shows Russell Vought, Trump’s budget director, as the Grim Reaper set to an AI rendition of Blue Oyster Cult’s "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper."
Another depicts Trump leading a band with Vice President JD Vance on drums while caricatured Democrats wear sombreros and moustaches. Democrats criticised this imagery as "racist."
A particularly striking video shows Trump throwing a "Trump 2028" cap at House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, digitally referencing a September 30 meeting between Trump, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Jeffries where campaign hats were reportedly used as props during discussions about averting a government shutdown.
Trump shared the videos late Tuesday, just hours ahead of a potential government shutdown. The timing drew scrutiny, with critics arguing that it undermined the seriousness of the fiscal negotiations.
Democrats condemn, White House defends
Democrats quickly denounced the clips. Jeffries wrote on X, "Bigotry will get you nowhere. Cancel the Cuts. Lower the Cost. Save Healthcare. We are NOT backing down."
Schumer added, "If you think your shutdown is a joke, it just proves what we all know: You can’t negotiate. You can only throw tantrums."
Jeffries also appeared on MSNBC, describing the video as "disgusting," according to Newsweek.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s actions, calling his openness "refreshing" and praising his "transparency" and penchant for sharing memes and videos on social media.
‘Trump 2028’ cap adds fuel to speculation
The "Trump 2028" cap has become more than a prop. According to the New York Post, the Trump Organisation recently put the red hat on sale for $50, reinforcing speculation that Trump is serious about another term. The original product description included the phrase "Rewrite the rules," a possible reference to the constitutional limit imposed by the 22nd Amendment.
Trump himself has acknowledged the idea of running for a third term. In March, he told NBC News that while it was "far too early" to make a decision, "a lot of people would like me to" be president again.
Constitutional hurdles for a third term
The US Constitution clearly bars a president from serving more than two terms. The 22nd Amendment states that no person can be elected president more than twice. Amending it would require two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-quarters of state legislatures, a difficult hurdle even with Republican control of Congress. According to the BBC, Democrats control 18 of the 50 state legislatures.
Some Trump allies have floated legal workarounds. One proposal involves Vance running for president in 2028 with Trump as his running mate. If Vance were elected, he could resign, allowing Trump to assume the presidency without technically violating the two-term limit, the New York Post reported. Trump has described this as "one" possible method and hinted at other ways to circumvent constitutional restrictions.
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