Sometimes a hat is ‘just a hat’ – even when the president’s son sports one proclaiming ‘TRUMP 2028.’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off speculation that President Trump might somehow try to seek a third term in office, a day after his campaign online stores rolled out the new red hat for $50 each.
She was asked in a ‘conversation’ with Mike Allen of Axios whether it was ‘just a hat’ given that ‘the Constitution doesn’t envision a term three for President Trump or any president.
‘It’s just a hat,’ Leavitt said, smiling. ‘The president was asked and answered this question yesterday – it’s not something he’s thinking of, though I hear the hats are flying off the shelves,’ she quipped.
Trump, 78, has refused to rule out a third term, even as key figures close to him including former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon have talked up the idea.
Leavitt’s statement, while brushing off the idea, did not foreclose on Trump seeking a third term.
In a new interview with Time Magazine released Friday, Trump spoke about ‘loopholes’ – a likely reference to a theory that a two-term president might try to run as vice president, then later reassume office.
‘It’s not something he’s thinking of, though I hear the hats are flying off the shelves,’ Karoline Leavitt said, when asked about ‘Trump 2028’ hats being hawked at the Trump store – amid chatter of a potential effort to seek a third term despite the 22nd amendment
‘I’d rather not discuss that now, but as you know, there are some loopholes that have been discussed that are well known,’ Trump told the magazine. ‘But I don’t believe in loopholes. I don’t believe in using loopholes.’
Reflecting the sensitivity of the issue, the initial product description for the hat said: ‘The future looks bright! Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat.’
It was quickly changed to say: ‘Make a statement with this Made in America Trump 2028 hat.’
A picture of Trump’s son Eric Trump, a Trump Organization executive, wearing the hat was immediately posted online.
The 22nd Amendment states that ‘[no] person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.’
The president even since his successful reelection has continued to claim falsely that he won the 2020 election.
Leavitt’s comment came on a day she met with young college journalists, and got peppered with questions on hot topics including the administration yanking visas for international students.
The hates are for sale at the Trump store
Trump got asked about a third term in a new interview, responding that he doesn’t like ‘loopholes’
‘The future looks bright! Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat,’ the initial product description for the hat stated
First son Eric Trump wearing the new Trump 2028 hat being sold by the Trump Organization
She also conducted a podcast interview, while President Donald Trump flew to Rome to attend funeral services for Pope Francis.
In the same Time interview, Trump also brushed back repeated attempts to get him to say he was expanding presidential power.
‘Well, I don’t feel I’m expanding it. I think I’m using it as it was meant to be used,’ he said.
‘I think I’m using it properly, and I’m also using it as per my election,’ Trump said.
