White House Says Trump ‘Trolling’ With Talk Of 2028 Run

Forbes - Apr 29th, 2025
Open on Forbes

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that President Donald Trump's recent musings about a third presidential term are more of a playful 'trolling' than a serious 'truthing.' This comes after the Trump Store launched new merchandise, including hats, koozies, and T-shirts emblazoned with 'Trump 2028.' Despite Trump's public remarks about being serious, Leavitt's comments suggest the campaign is more about marketing than a political reality. The merchandise has been selling rapidly, indicating strong support or interest among his base.

The implications of Trump's suggestion of a third term are significant, as it challenges the constitutional limit of two terms for U.S. presidents. Trump's mention of 'well-known loopholes' hints at possible legal maneuvers, raising questions about the potential erosion of established democratic norms. This story underscores the ongoing influence of Trump's rhetoric and the potential for continued political upheaval. It also highlights the blurring lines between political messaging and marketing tactics in modern politics.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article covers a timely and controversial topic with potential implications for American democracy, focusing on the idea of a third-term run by former President Trump. While it provides clear and engaging content, supported by credible sources like the Trump Store and White House statements, it lacks depth in terms of expert analysis and broader perspectives. The accuracy of some claims, such as the existence of 'well-known loopholes,' requires further substantiation. The story's clarity and readability are strengths, but it could benefit from increased transparency and balance by including more viewpoints and context. Overall, the article effectively captures attention and sparks discussion but needs more comprehensive coverage to fully inform readers about the constitutional and political nuances involved.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that are partially supported by existing information. For instance, the claim that the Trump Store is selling 'Trump 2028' hats is confirmed by the store's website, which lists these products. However, the article also refers to President Trump stating he is 'not joking' about running for a third term and mentions 'well-known loopholes' that could allow this, which needs further verification as the specifics of these loopholes are not provided. Additionally, the article correctly notes the constitutional limitation of two terms for U.S. presidents, aligning with the 22nd Amendment. Overall, while some claims are verifiable, others require more substantiation or context.

5
Balance

The article primarily focuses on statements from the White House press secretary and President Trump, lacking perspectives from constitutional experts or political analysts who could provide insight into the feasibility and implications of a third-term run. The coverage of the merchandise sales is straightforward, but the political and legal context could be more balanced with additional viewpoints. The article's tone suggests skepticism toward the idea of a third term, but this is not counterbalanced with any supportive arguments or perspectives.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation, with a straightforward structure that outlines the main claims and supporting facts. The language is accessible, and the tone is neutral, though it leans slightly towards skepticism. The use of specific examples, such as the merchandise being sold, helps clarify the context for readers. However, the lack of detailed explanation about the 'loopholes' mentioned by Trump could confuse readers unfamiliar with the constitutional context.

6
Source quality

The article cites statements from a White House press briefing and references merchandise available on the Trump Store, which are credible sources for the claims made. However, the lack of direct quotes from the press briefing or the interview where Trump allegedly discusses loopholes diminishes the source quality slightly. Inclusion of expert opinions or legal analysis would enhance the reliability and depth of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article does not provide detailed explanations of the methodology used to gather its information, such as how the statements were sourced or verified. While it mentions that the story is developing, it lacks transparency regarding the potential biases or limitations in its reporting. The absence of links to primary sources or transcripts also reduces the transparency of the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://www.trumpstore.com/product/trump-2028-hat/
  2. https://www.axios.com/2025/04/24/trump-2028-hats-sale-official-store
  3. https://www.trumpstore.com
  4. https://www.trumpstore.com/collections/mheadwear/
  5. https://www.trumpstore.com/collections/45-47/