S.E. Cupp: Donald Trump isn’t joking about a third term
In a thought-provoking editorial published nearly a year ago, The New York Times issued a stark warning regarding Donald Trump’s potential return to the presidency, encapsulated in the bold statement: “Believe him.” This cautionary message highlighted Trump’s intentions to prosecute his enemies, engage in mass deportations, and manipulate governmental powers to his advantage. The article reflects on how many of these promises have already materialized, particularly through the framework of Project 2025, a blueprint from the conservative Heritage Foundation aimed at consolidating executive authority. Despite Trump’s claims of no involvement with the project, he has implemented numerous objectives outlined within it, including initiatives targeting corporate policies deemed “woke,” rolling back protections under Title IX, and altering Department of Justice guidelines on journalist subpoenas.
The editorial emphasizes that Trump’s rhetoric during rallies has not been mere bluster; instead, it has served as a clear indication of his intentions. His repeated vow of “I will be your retribution” underscores a broader strategy of targeting critics and dissenters, evidenced by lawsuits against media outlets and investigations into political adversaries. The article also touches on Trump’s provocative suggestion of running for a third term, which some dismiss as a joke. However, as history has shown, Trump often blurs the line between jest and intention. The piece highlights the alarming reality that Trump’s actions have frequently defied constitutional norms, and with allies in Congress like Rep. Randy Fine advocating for the repeal of the 22nd Amendment, the possibility of a third Trump presidency is not as far-fetched as some might think.
The overarching message of the editorial is clear: Trump’s track record suggests he should be taken seriously, and his plans are likely more calculated than many realize. Figures like Steve Bannon hint at a structured approach to Trump’s potential political maneuvers, indicating that there are indeed plans in place for a future campaign. The article serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to recognize the seriousness of Trump’s claims and the implications of his potential return to power. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the call to “believe him” resonates as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Trump’s political ambitions and the ongoing challenges to democratic norms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAleqlBbBuw
Believe him.
Almost a year ago to the day, The New York Times ran a
special editorial
just before Donald Trump would win the presidency again.
They used a full page to print out in giant, boldface, all-caps the following missive:
“Donald Trump says he will prosecute his enemies, order mass deportations, use soldiers against citizens, abandon allies, and play politics with disasters. Believe him.”
It was good advice, as we know a lot of what he was promising to do has already happened.
We saw much of it outlined in Project 2025, a blueprint published by the conservative Heritage Foundation, to reshape the federal government and consolidate executive power around Trump.
Despite denying any involvement in the project, Trump has seemingly used it as a literal roadmap to help avoid the parts of his first administration where he was thwarted by pesky inconveniences like the Constitution, the law, and separation of powers.
A community-driven
Project 2025 tracker
found that of the 319 objectives outlined in the initiative, Trump’s already made good on 121, including using government contracts to “push back against woke policies” in corporate America, rescinding Biden-era Title IX rules that strengthened the ability to prosecute sexual assault and discrimination cases, and turning back former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s policy that limited DOJ’s ability to subpoena journalists during leak investigations, to name just a few.
But he also blatantly told Americans what he was going to do at his rallies. These weren’t empty threats. They weren’t trial balloons so he could poll-test their popularity. They were promises.
One in particular seems to be motivating many of his decisions: “I will be your retribution.”
Just five days after the Times editorial was published, Trump sued CBS News for its interview of former Vice President Kamala Harris. A month after he won reelection he sued the Des Moines Register over a poll he didn’t like.
He’s already
prosecuted
former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former National Security Advisor John Bolton. He’s actively investigating other critics, including Sen. Adam Schiff, former Special Counsel Jack Smith, and former DHS official Miles Taylor.
And as we’ve all seen, he’s ordered mass deportations. He’s used soldiers against U.S. citizens. He’s abandoned allies. He’s
played politics
with disasters.
And yet, there are still apparently people who think he’s bluffing when he says he’d run for a third term.
Trump’s been teasing the idea for months. He makes it sound a little like he’s joking, but we’ve seen this movie before. He “joked” about not leaving the White House in 2020, too — and we all know what happened on Jan. 6. It’s always just a joke, until it isn’t.
Speaker Mike Johnson, ever Trump’s loyal lackey, has laughed it off as mere “trolling,” and has said he’s talked to the president about the constitutional constrictions of such a move — as if that’s ever been a compelling consideration for Trump.
Former Ohio governor and former presidential candidate John Kasich also brushed it off on MSNBC:
“No! Listen, have we had any states try to move to call a convention to change the amendment? Have we had any Republican governors do that? They’re not even going to answer a question like that because it’s not going to happen.”
Oh, the hubris. Trump has broken every norm, and he’s already violated the Constitution dozens of times. Anyone who believes Trump lives within existing boundaries, either of legality or decency, hasn’t been paying attention.
And counter to Kasich’s beliefs, Trump’s already got accomplices in both chambers of Congress willing to help him.
Rep. Randy Fine called for repealing the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidential terms to two,
earlier this month
.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville says it’s Trump’s call to make:
“If you read the Constitution, it says it’s not [possible],” said Tuberville. “But if [Trump] says he has some different circumstances that might be able to go around the Constitution, but that’s up to him.”
This isn’t a troll or a joke. Just listen to Steve Bannon, the architect of Trump’s first campaign:
“Well, he’s going to get a third term. So, Trump ’28. Trump is going to be president in ’28 and people ought to just get accommodated with that. There’s many different alternatives. At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is.”
They have a plan. They’ll lay it out. This isn’t childish wishcasting or manifesting.
Bannon and Trump are designing it. They’re planning it. I’d bet they’re talking to lawyers and constitutional experts, and to the people they will need to help them do it at every level of government.
If we’ve learned one thing about Trump in all these years, it’s that we should believe him.
S.E. Cupp is the host of “S.E. Cupp Unfiltered” on CNN.
