Dallas Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson urged President Donald Trump to consider running for a third term during a White House Hanukkah reception, offering to donate another $250 million to support such a campaign despite constitutional prohibitions against serving more than two terms.
The exchange occurred Tuesday in the East Room of the White House, where Adelson addressed guests at the annual celebration. Speaking at the podium alongside Trump, the Israeli-born casino magnate revealed she had discussed the possibility with prominent attorney Alan Dershowitz about the legality of Trump serving four more years.
Adelson then whispered something to Trump before he returned to the microphone to announce her pledge. The president told the gathering that she had offered to donate another $250 million if he runs for a third term. Adelson confirmed her commitment, stating simply, “I will give.”
The Constitution limits presidents to two terms through the 22nd Amendment, making any third-term bid constitutionally prohibited under current law.
Despite this constitutional barrier, Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of running for a third term. His online store has featured a Trump 2028 hat as one of its bestselling items, which the president distributes as souvenirs to lawmakers and visitors at the White House.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly stated that Trump knows he cannot run again, though he acknowledged that many Americans lament the limitation.
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon has declared that Trump would be president in 2028. However, Trump himself has at times ruled out various scenarios for remaining in power, including serving as JD Vance’s running mate in a potential scheme where Vance would resign after taking office.
Adelson, whose family is worth approximately $42 billion according to financial estimates, has been one of Trump’s most generous supporters. She donated more than $100 million during the 2024 election cycle. Along with her late husband Sheldon Adelson, she served as the largest donor to Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, channeling hundreds of millions of dollars into his candidacies and Republican causes.
The Adelson family owns the Las Vegas Sands casino empire. Miriam Adelson has maintained strong ties to Israel throughout her life, having been born in the country.
Trump awarded Adelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Sheldon Adelson died in 2021.
The interaction between Trump and Miriam Adelson at the White House event highlighted the continuing influence of major donors in American politics.
The 22nd Amendment establishes the two-term limit that has governed presidential eligibility. Any attempt to allow Trump or any future president to serve more than two terms would require either a constitutional amendment, which demands approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures, or a novel legal interpretation that would likely face immediate court challenges.
The Hanukkah celebration represented one of several holiday events at the White House during the season. These gatherings typically bring together prominent supporters, donors, and community leaders, providing opportunities for the president to recognize contributions and maintain relationships with key constituencies.