US President Donald Trump on Friday suggested the possibility of serving a third term while speaking at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner, but later clarified that he was joking.
During his remarks at the annual event, Trump compared the rescheduled dinner to his time in office, saying both had improved the second time around.
"I am delighted to be here at the White House Correspondents' Dinner," the US President said.
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"Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. It's always better. And the third time will be better yet," he added.
Trump later clarified that he was just "kidding" about the idea.
"I'm only kidding," he stated.
US presidential election rules
According to the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution, no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Trump is currently serving his second term in the White House.
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Despite presidential term limits in the US, Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of staying in office beyond them in recent times.
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly states that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." This limit was established after President Franklin D Roosevelt's unprecedented four consecutive terms.
Trump last year said it is “pretty clear” the US Constitution does not permit him to run for the third term in office.
Trump also recently ruled out one proposed end-run around the Constitution, saying it would be “too cute” for him to run as vice president in order to later ascend back into the White House after the elected president resigned.
“I think the people wouldn’t like that because it’s too cute. It’s not — it wouldn’t be right,” he said, although he tried to reserve the legal right to do it.
White House Correspondents' Dinner
Meanwhile, Trump joked that next year's White House Correspondents' Dinner could bear his name, claiming that David Ellison, the chief executive of Paramount Skydance, had suggested the idea.
"Next year, they're going to call it the Trump White House Correspondents' Dinner," Trump said. "(Ellison) told me that, and I like that very much. We're going to change the name of it, okay?"
The Correspondents' Dinner was rescheduled after the original April event was abruptly called off following a major security incident at the Washington Hilton.
A man identified as Cole Allen allegedly ran through a security checkpoint carrying loaded firearms and knives before being subdued by US Secret Service agents outside the ballroom.
Authorities said Allen allegedly struck an officer before being restrained, while Trump and senior administration officials were rushed to safety after gunfire was heard outside the venue.
Allen later pleaded not guilty to four federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a president and assaulting a law enforcement officer.
He remains in custody, and a trial date has not yet been scheduled, CNN reported.
(With inputs from agencies)
