Podcast Summary: The Beat with Ari Melber

Episode: Trump Says He Would 'Love To' Run Again in 2028
Date: October 28, 2025
Guest Host: Jason Johnson (for Ari Melber)

Overview

This episode centers on Donald Trump’s provocative statement expressing his desire to run for a third presidential term in 2028—a direct challenge to the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The panel dissects the political and legal backlash, discussing Republican Party dynamics, ongoing authoritarian tactics, the latest on election interference, Trump’s ethics controversies, escalating foreign policy actions, and the cultural response of younger Americans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump's Third Term Comments and Constitutional Limits

(Segment starts: 00:46)

• Trump's Statement: On Air Force One, Trump told reporters he “would love” to run for a third term.
  • Quote, Trump (reported): “I would, I would. I would love to do it. You know, I have my best numbers ever.” (01:05)
• Constitutional Reality: The show underscores that the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment absolutely bars presidents from serving more than two terms.
• Steve Bannon's Role: Bannon recently floated vague plans for a third term, leading to rebuke but continuing speculation.
  • Jason Johnson jokes about the seriousness with which Trump’s inner circle, especially Bannon, make such suggestions.
  • Guest (Maya Wiley, 06:01): Emphasizes that the legal power simply does not exist for a president to seek a third term and notes the administration’s pattern of overreach.

2. Republican Party Response and Moral Abdication

(Segment starts: 03:50)

• Dr. Christina Greer’s Analysis:
  • The GOP, she argues, has repeatedly failed to stand up to Trump, even when he crosses established lines.
  • Quote, Dr. Christina Greer:
    “Republicans know good and well that the 22nd Amendment stands and this president cannot, should not and shan't run for a third term...they're not good faith actors because they're so desperately afraid of this president and afraid of getting on his bad side...” (03:50–05:02)

3. Authoritarian Tactics and Election Interference

(Segment starts: 06:01)

• Federal Overreach Claims: Discussion of Trump’s DOJ sending election monitors to Democratic states and threats of using military to police polling places.
  • Maya Wiley: Details historic abuse of powers, courts already finding constitutional violations (like Posse Comitatus).
  • Quote, Maya Wiley:
    “This is an administration that is not administering. It is just abusing power, taking powers it does not have, acting as if it’s legitimate...” (06:01–08:22)
• State Power & Resistance: Emphasizes election law as a states’ right—ironically defended by three Black commentators referencing states’ rights for voter protection.

4. New York Politics and Potential Federal Retaliation

(Segment starts: 09:14)

• Dr. Greer on NYC Mayoral Race:
  • Discusses Trump’s threats to penalize New York City if Zoran Mamdani wins as mayor, and how local, state, and congressional officials should respond.
  • Highlights the economic and political factors that could limit Trump’s actions.
  • Noted the lack of strong endorsements for Mamdani from top New York Democrats, juxtaposed with his grassroots coalition-building.

5. White House ‘Desecration’ and Corporate Influence

(Segment starts: 12:38)

• Trump’s White House Renovation:
  • Discussion of Trump firing Biden-appointed planning committee members, appointing loyalists, and personally overseeing a $300 million East Wing “demolition.”
  • Framing Trump’s actions as treating the White House as personal property, not the people’s.
  • Quote: “They're literally not just taking a wrecking ball to the White House, they're taking a wrecking ball to our very values.” (14:48)
• Foreign Gifts & Military Funding Scandal:
  • Trump’s acceptance of a $130 million gift from a billionaire for military pay and a $5.5 billion golf course in Qatar seen as ethics violations.
  • Norm Eisen (Obama admin. ethics lawyer):
    “I never would have allowed a private individual to pay the salaries of military members because whenever people write checks, large one, like for $130 million, that comes with strings attached...the law has standards that are breached by this payment.” (16:49–18:08)
  • Concerns raised about corporations, quid pro quo, and “selling out” public interest.

6. Prosecution of Trump and DOJ Turmoil

(Segment starts: 22:35)

• Jack Smith’s Legal Strategy & Congressional Testimony:
  • Jack Smith wants to testify publicly regarding his prosecution decisions, addressing GOP misrepresentation.
  • Internal debate within Smith’s team about prosecuting Trump in Florida vs. D.C., and subsequent failure due to Judge Eileen Cannon’s controversial rulings.
  • Hugo Lowell (The Guardian):
    Justifies Smith’s venue decision as logical given legal obstacles, while acknowledging unpredictability of outcomes.

7. Trump’s Lethal Strikes and Accusations of ‘Murder’

(Segment starts: 29:30)

• Escalating Military Action in the Caribbean:
  • Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats have killed 43, with no evidence linking those killed to trafficking.
  • Lawmakers and legal experts widely denounce these as “extrajudicial killings” and “murder.”
  • Rand Paul (R), Fox News:
    “We’ve had no evidence presented. So at this point, I would call them extrajudicial killings. And this is akin to what China does...”
  • Sen. Ruben Gallego (D):
    “It’s murder. It’s sanctioned murder that he is doing that.” (31:28)
• National Security Perspective:
  • Charlie Savage (NYT):
    “Because killing is so serious and irreversible, it stands apart. And because they're not even offering a theory for why it's legitimate... That’s where we are right now as a country.” (33:10–34:36)

8. Culture War and Gen Z Pushback

(Segment starts: 37:23)

• Trump’s Culture War Falters Among Youth:
  • Despite book bans and TV censorship, surveys indicate Gen Z prefers realistic, diverse, and empathetic programming.
• Case Study—Animation:
  • Dave Stewart II (Lion Forge Entertainment):
    Describes the aim of “diverse stories, authentically told,” like the new animated show Ianu, rooted in Yoruba folklore.
  • Stresses the commercial viability of multicultural stories, despite industry consolidation and political backlash.

9. NYC Mayoral Race and Grassroots Democratic Politics

(Segment starts: 43:23)

• Voter Enthusiasm:
  • Early voting in NYC at record highs, led by excitement for Zoran Mamdani, who holds endorsements from popular progressives like AOC and Bernie Sanders.
  • Host Jason Johnson highlights the disconnect between party leadership and grassroots energy:
  • Quote, Jason Johnson:
    “When the people are excited about a candidate, the party is supposed to follow, as opposed to telling people who they should be excited about.” (44:02)

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Christina Greer (on GOP inaction):
  “They’re not good faith actors because they’re so desperately afraid of this president and afraid of getting on his bad side for whatever reason. They’re abdicating their own duties...” (03:50)
• Maya Wiley (on DOJ overreach):
  “This is an administration that is not administering. It is just abusing power, taking powers it does not have...” (06:01)
• Norm Eisen (on ethics violations):
  “Whenever people write checks, large one, like for $130 million, that comes with strings attached and Donald Trump has put the government up for sale to the high bidder...” (16:49)
• Rand Paul (on Trump’s strikes):
  “We’ve had no evidence presented. So at this point, I would call them extrajudicial killings...” (31:28)
• Jason Johnson (on Democratic disconnect):
  “When the people are excited about a candidate, the party is supposed to follow, as opposed to telling people who they should be excited about.” (44:02)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Trump’s third term talk, Bannon's influence: 00:46–03:50
• GOP reaction & abdication of moral responsibility: 03:50–05:02
• Authoritarianism & election interference tactics: 06:01–08:22
• Federal threats to New York City politics: 09:14–11:08
• White House demolition, ethics, and influence scandals: 12:38–18:58
• Jack Smith, DOJ prosecution & testimony: 22:35–29:30
• Trump’s extrajudicial military strikes: 29:30–36:48
• Culture wars & Gen Z pushback in entertainment: 37:23–43:16
• NYC mayoral race grassroots excitement: 43:23–44:02

Tone and Language

• The episode maintains a tone of alarm and sharp critique, with moments of dry wit and historical analogy, notably in the discussion of “states’ rights” and authoritarianism.
• Panelists combine legal, political, and cultural analysis, often expressing dismay at the erosion of democratic norms and institutions.
• Notable for its clear delineation of facts versus Trumpian spin, echoing Ari Melber’s signature style.

This summary captures the episode’s urgent dissection of Trump’s expanding authoritarian behavior, the enabling structures, and the emerging resistance, both legal and cultural—delivering an in-depth resource for listeners seeking clarity on current American political dynamics.