‘The View’ Blasts Trump’s Third-Term Talk as a Smokescreen: “We’re Not Falling for It”

Ana Navarro isn’t buying Donald Trump’s latest hint at a third presidential term—and she says Americans shouldn’t either.

On The View Monday morning, the veteran political commentator and longtime Republican-turned-Trump-critic didn’t mince words. “He’s the distractor-in-chief,” Navarro said, “and we’re not falling for it.”

The conversation came after Trump, in a weekend NBC interview, floated the idea that “there are methods” to run for a third term—even adding, “I’m not joking.” While the Constitution clearly bars presidents from serving more than two terms, Navarro says Trump knows exactly what he’s doing: stirring the pot to shift attention.

“It’s not about the Constitution. It’s not about running again,” Navarro told viewers. “It’s about pulling focus from the disaster he’s presiding over—Signal-gate, the economy, the chaos at the border. He thrives on distraction, and this is his favorite trick in the book.”

A Pattern of Distraction

Navarro pointed to what she sees as a deliberate pattern. “When Trump’s administration is under fire, he doesn’t defend—he diverts,” she said. “This time it’s ‘maybe I’ll serve forever.’ Last time it was ‘maybe I’ll buy Greenland.’ It’s always the same game.”

She also took aim at what she called the “complete failure” of Trump’s national security team, referring to ongoing fallout from what critics have dubbed Signal-gate—a developing controversy involving alleged lapses in secure military communications.

“Trump doesn’t want people talking about real issues,” Navarro said. “He wants you to chase his circus.”

“Let’s Not Get Sucked In”

Co-host Sara Haines agreed, urging Democrats and moderates not to let Trump’s provocations derail serious organizing. “Let’s not get distracted by the crazy,” she said. “We need to keep our eyes on the ground. Local elections, statehouses—that’s where the real change begins.”

Haines echoed a growing sentiment among Democratic strategists who worry Trump’s bombastic style can obscure dangerous policy shifts—or worse, erode public focus.

Even GOP Voices Are Rolling Their Eyes

Even Alyssa Farah Griffin, the show’s Republican voice and a former Trump White House aide, sounded the alarm—though not about a third term. Instead, she warned of what she sees as a betrayal of core conservative values.

“In 48 hours, new tariffs are going to slam American families,” Griffin said. “This is what we should be talking about—not fantasyland dictatorship scenarios.”

She added that Trump’s antics may be frustrating even his own political allies. “If I’m JD Vance and I think I’m next in line to lead the GOP, this is insulting,” she said. “Trump isn’t grooming a successor—he’s burning the house down on his way out.”

A Bigger Picture for Democrats

The panel agreed: whether or not Trump’s third-term chatter is serious, it’s a symptom of a much deeper problem. “He wants attention more than solutions,” Navarro said. “And America can’t afford that again.”

For Democratic-leaning voters, the takeaway was clear: ignore the noise and double down on the fundamentals—policy, organizing, and truth.

“He knows how to distract,” Navarro concluded. “But we know how to stay focused.”