Trump's '2028' Merch Ignites Constitutional Crisis Debate

Paul Riverbank, 4/25/2025Trump's "2028" merchandise sparks debate over presidential term limits and constitutional boundaries.

The organization's new $50 "Trump 2028" hat isn't just another piece of political memorabilia – it's sparked a firestorm about the very foundations of presidential succession. Eric Trump's promotional appearances wearing the cap have only fueled speculation about his father's intentions regarding a potential third term.

I've covered enough political campaigns to recognize when merchandise becomes messaging. The initial product description – "Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat" – spoke volumes before being quietly modified. When pressed, Trump Organization spokesperson Kimberly Benza offered an oddly casual response: "Because it's amazing." That's the kind of non-answer that makes veteran political observers raise their eyebrows.

The timing here matters. Last month, Trump told NBC News he wasn't joking about seeking a third term, though he added it was "far too early to think about it." Having covered his previous campaigns, I've learned to take such statements seriously, even when they seem to conflict with constitutional guardrails like the 22nd Amendment.

Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican, has already jumped into the fray. His proposed constitutional amendment would allow non-consecutive third terms – a change that would conveniently accommodate Trump's situation. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas didn't mince words, arguing that the Trump team treats the Constitution as "just a suggestion."

Some of Trump's supporters have floated more creative scenarios. One involves a potential President J.D. Vance stepping aside to elevate Vice President Trump – a scheme that reminds me of similar discussions during term-limited presidents' final years, though never quite this explicit.

The White House seems content to fan these flames. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's defense of Trump's third-term comments – suggesting they're merely responses to persistent media questioning – strikes me as particularly disingenuous given the merchandise rollout.

Here's what fascinates me most: Should Trump complete another term ending in January 2029, he'd surpass Joe Biden's record as our oldest serving president. In my three decades covering politics, I've never seen age and term limits so thoroughly entangled in our national conversation.

Is this about keeping Trump's base engaged? Setting up another family member for a run? Or something more concerning for our democratic traditions? The answer probably lies somewhere in the merchandise itself – a red cap that manages to be both a fashion statement and a constitutional challenge.

The Trump Organization's latest merchandise rollout has me thinking about a conversation I had with a constitutional scholar back in 2016. "The founders never imagined we'd be debating term limits through baseball caps," he told me then. How prescient those words feel today.The organization's new $50 "Trump 2028" hat isn't just another piece of political memorabilia – it's sparked a firestorm about the very foundations of presidential succession. Eric Trump's promotional appearances wearing the cap have only fueled speculation about his father's intentions regarding a potential third term.I've covered enough political campaigns to recognize when merchandise becomes messaging. The initial product description – "Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat" – spoke volumes before being quietly modified. When pressed, Trump Organization spokesperson Kimberly Benza offered an oddly casual response: "Because it's amazing." That's the kind of non-answer that makes veteran political observers raise their eyebrows.The timing here matters. Last month, Trump told NBC News he wasn't joking about seeking a third term, though he added it was "far too early to think about it." Having covered his previous campaigns, I've learned to take such statements seriously, even when they seem to conflict with constitutional guardrails like the 22nd Amendment.Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican, has already jumped into the fray. His proposed constitutional amendment would allow non-consecutive third terms – a change that would conveniently accommodate Trump's situation. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas didn't mince words, arguing that the Trump team treats the Constitution as "just a suggestion."Some of Trump's supporters have floated more creative scenarios. One involves a potential President J.D. Vance stepping aside to elevate Vice President Trump – a scheme that reminds me of similar discussions during term-limited presidents' final years, though never quite this explicit.The White House seems content to fan these flames. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's defense of Trump's third-term comments – suggesting they're merely responses to persistent media questioning – strikes me as particularly disingenuous given the merchandise rollout.Here's what fascinates me most: Should Trump complete another term ending in January 2029, he'd surpass Joe Biden's record as our oldest serving president. In my three decades covering politics, I've never seen age and term limits so thoroughly entangled in our national conversation.Is this about keeping Trump's base engaged? Setting up another family member for a run? Or something more concerning for our democratic traditions? The answer probably lies somewhere in the merchandise itself – a red cap that manages to be both a fashion statement and a constitutional challenge.