‘Entitled to it’: US President Donald Trump speaks about third term

President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm of criticism after suggesting he feels “entitled” to another term in office — despite constitutional limits prohibiting it.

Appearing at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas, President Trump took to the stage wearing a red “Gulf of America” hat as his campaign song God Bless the USA played.

“Maybe we do one more term. Should we do one more term? Do one more term,” he mused.

“Well, we’re entitled to it, because they cheated like hell in the second one – we would actually be entitled to it.”

The remarks came less than a week before Texas’ March 3 midterm primary elections. Actor Dennis Quaid joined Mr Trump on stage as the president spoke about affordability and economic issues while promoting his energy agenda.

Mr Trump has long maintained that he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden due to widespread voter fraud — claims that courts repeatedly rejected. More than 60 lawsuits filed after the election failed to overturn the result, and no evidence substantiating the allegations has emerged.

Reports have also surfaced of a draft executive order circulated by pro-Trump activists that would expand presidential authority over federal elections. According to The Washington Post, the 17-page draft alleges Chinese interference in the 2020 election and proposes declaring a national emergency to federalise upcoming midterm elections. Under current US law, states administer their own elections.

The president’s third-term comments triggered swift backlash online, with critics pointing to the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution, which limits presidents to two elected terms.

The amendment states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice…”

One social media user wrote: “The Constitution isn’t a hotel loyalty program. You don’t earn a free third stay because you liked the service. Two terms. That’s the rule.”

Another added: “You think this guy cares about the Constitution?”

Escalation With Iran

Hours later, President Trump announced a major military escalation against Iran.

In a video address posted to his Truth Social platform, he vowed to “annihilate” Iran’s navy and destroy its missile infrastructure after the United States and Israel began bombing operations.

“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally obliterated. We’re going to annihilate their navy,” he said.

Addressing the Iranian people directly, President Trump declared: “The hour of your freedom is at hand.”

Iranian pro-government supporters burn pictures of President Donald Trump during a rally held outside the US consulate. Picture: Burak Kara/Getty Images

He urged members of Iran’s armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to surrender, warning they would otherwise “face certain death.”

The sweeping rhetoric suggested the broader objective was the collapse of the Islamic Republic, which has ruled Iran since the 1979 revolution.