Donald Trump dons 2028 hat, jokes about presidential bid

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has again alluded to a potential 2028 presidential run, this time donning a red cap emblazoned with the year "2028" during a recent event.

"I want to announce my intention to compete for a fourth term as president. I won three times and I will do it again," Trump stated, before putting on the distinctive campaign-style hat. This jest has been a recurring theme in his public appearances this week.

The former president's remarks are seen as sarcastic, particularly as he has not acknowledged his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election and has repeatedly alleged unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud. The joke came at the conclusion of a lengthy speech during a repeat of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington.

Attendance at the event was significantly reduced following a recent attack, with only about 700 guests present out of an expected 2,600. Security was heightened by the Secret Service, and access was restricted, requiring attendees to present a QR code for entry.

Despite his lighthearted comments about a 2028 candidacy, Trump, who is 80 years old, is constitutionally ineligible to run for a third term, as the U.S. Constitution limits presidents to two terms. He served his first term from 2017 to 2021.

Trump often mentions that many supporters of his "Make America Great Again" movement urge him to remain in office beyond 2029. He has also suggested that Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both potential Republican presidential aspirants for 2028, could succeed him.

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I want to announce my intention to compete for a fourth term as president. I won three times and I will do it again.