WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump said in an interview airing Sunday that he is not seriously considering running for a constitutionally-barred third White House term, after musing publicly over the idea.

“This is not something I’m looking to do,” he told NBC News “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, according to released excerpts.

Trump’s earlier suggestion of possibly seeking a third term has been sharply questioned by legal and constitutional scholars.

The 22nd Amendment states that “no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice”.

But Trump said in March he was “not joking” about seeking a third term, adding there are “methods” that would allow it to happen.

Changing the Constitution to allow a third term would be difficult, requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by at least 38 of the 50 states.

But “this is not something I’m looking to do,” Trump told NBC — even while acknowledging that the Trump Organization’s official store is selling red “Trump 2028” hats.

“I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward.”

Asked who that might be, he mentioned Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, adding: “We have a lot of good people in this party.”