How many terms has Donald Trump served as US President?

Published On: July 12, 2025

Donald Trump has served two terms as President of the United States — but uniquely, they are non-consecutive:

First Term: January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021, as the 45th President
Second Term: began January 20, 2025, as the 47th President Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2The Sun+2

That makes him the second president in U.S. history to serve two non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland People.com+7Wikipedia+7Wikipedia+7.

📌 What exactly counts as a “term”?

Each U.S. presidency lasts four years, beginning at noon on January 20 following a presidential election. A president may serve up to two terms, as limited by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution (ratified in 1951) Wikipedia+3Constitution Center+3Reagan Library+3.
Trump’s first term (2017–2021) counts as four years.
His second term began in January 2025 and continues. That’s why he’s referred to as both the 45th and 47th president.

Why is he numbered twice?

The total list of presidents counts presidencies, not individuals. Serving non-consecutive terms gives each presidency a separate number:

45th President: Trump’s first term
46th President: Joe Biden (2021–2025)
47th President: Trump’s current second term Encyclopedia Britannica+3The Sun+3Wikipedia+3 Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4The Sun+4 The Washington Post

This also explains why the 60th inauguration in January 2025 marked Trump stepping into office again, despite being only the 47th presidency The Sun.

Can Trump run again for a third term?

No. Under the 22nd Amendment, no person can be elected president more than twice Wikipedia+15kbtx.com+15Constitution Center+15.

“Elected” is the operative word: even non-consecutive terms count.
While there’s speculation about efforts to engineer a loophole (e.g., serving first as VP, then ascending), constitutional experts agree this would likely violate the intent of the amendment People.com+4Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4 The Washington Post.