Trump’s ‘I’m Joking’ Tactic: A Strategy to Normalize Authoritarianism

 


Trump’s ‘I’m Joking’ Tactic: A Strategy to Normalize Authoritarianism

Donald Trump’s recent comments about seeking a third term should not be brushed off as mere trolling. When asked whether he has been presented with plans that would allow him to seek a third term, Trump responded, “There are methods which you could do it.” When pressed for more details, he simply replied, “no.” This response—casual, ambiguous, yet loaded—fits a well-established pattern: testing the waters for ideas that seem extreme now but could gain traction over time.

The Playbook: Say It, Deny It, Normalize It

Trump has long employed a strategy where he introduces radical ideas, waits for the backlash (or lack thereof), and then either walks them back or pushes them further. He used this method to normalize election denial, political violence, and the weaponization of government institutions against his enemies. Now, he is applying the same tactic to the possibility of a third term.

First, he jokes about it. Then, when challenged, he either insists he wasn’t serious or suggests that maybe it is a good idea. Over time, what was once seen as unthinkable becomes part of mainstream political discourse.

The GOP’s Complicity in Shifting Norms

Trump isn’t alone in pushing these boundaries. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) has already introduced a resolution seeking to extend term limits, providing a legislative foothold for what should be a nonstarter in any constitutional democracy. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon has outright claimed that Trump will run in 2028, signaling that Trump’s inner circle is already floating possible workarounds.

This pattern of GOP accommodation is familiar: dismiss radical ideas as jokes at first, then slowly shift toward accepting them as plausible, and eventually treat them as legitimate policy proposals. The same cycle happened with election denialism—what began as conspiracy theories became the official stance of the Republican Party.

The Constitutional Barrier: Will It Hold?

The 22nd Amendment explicitly limits presidents to two terms, making a third term legally impossible under normal circumstances. Amending the Constitution would require overwhelming support from Congress and the states—an unlikely scenario. However, Trump’s real goal may not be to officially change the law but to weaken democratic norms to the point where they no longer matter.

If Republicans control Congress and the courts, could they reinterpret or challenge the term-limit rule? Could they claim that a non-consecutive third term is legal? The idea may seem absurd, but so did the notion of attempting to overturn a legitimate election—until Trump and his allies tried it on January 6, 2021.

Trump’s Monarchic Rhetoric and the Cult of Personality

The White House’s response to Trump’s “third term” remarks—posting an image of him with a crown—was meant as satire, but it highlights a broader truth. Trump himself posted “LONG LIVE THE KING!” on Truth Social, further embracing his authoritarian instincts. His admiration for leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping, who have manipulated their political systems to extend their rule, is well-documented.

Unlike traditional conservatives who revere the Constitution, Trump’s movement is built on personal loyalty. If his base sees him as irreplaceable, why wouldn’t they support the idea of extending his presidency indefinitely? What was once an unthinkable violation of democratic principles could become a cause for his supporters to rally behind.

Conclusion: Why We Should Take This Seriously

Trump’s “jokes” are never just jokes—they are deliberate attempts to shift the Overton Window and test the public’s tolerance for authoritarianism. The fact that mainstream Republicans are willing to entertain even the fringes of this idea is a sign of how much democratic norms have eroded.

We cannot afford to dismiss Trump’s words as mere trolling. His past statements about election fraud led to an attempted coup. His encouragement of political violence led to real-world attacks. His push for a third term, whether serious or not, is yet another step in a long-term strategy to undermine democracy.

The lesson is clear: When Trump says something outrageous, take him at his word. He is not joking. He is testing.

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