Thread by @brianstelter

President Trump says he is "not joking" about the possibility of a third term in the White House, even though it's unconstitutional. "There are methods" for doing so, he says, but "it is far too early to think about it."

NBC's lead: "Trump did not rule out the possibility of seeking a third term in the White House, which is prohibited by the Constitution under the 22nd Amendment, saying in an exclusive interview with NBC News that there were methods for doing so..." nbcnews.com/politics/donal…

When @kwelkernbc was on the phone with Trump, she started out by saying "I know you're joking about this," but then it turned serious. Trump wildly overstated his approval rating and said "a lot of people would like me" to have a third term. Here's the full transcript released by NBC:

KRISTEN WELKER: So, when you're jo – I know you're joking about this, but I've been talking to a lot of your allies. They say they're very serious. You know, I talked to Steve Bannon on the record, quite frankly. So, I can just tell you. I mean, he says he's, you know, really seriously looking at potential plans that would allow you to serve a third term.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Well, let me put it this way. You have to start by saying, I have the highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years. We're in the high 70s in many polls, in the real polls, and you see that. And, and you know, we're very popular. And you know, a lot of people would like me to do that. But, I mean, I basically tell them, we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration.

KRISTEN WELKER: So, but I don't hear you ruling – like, in a very serious way, do you rule that out? Are you like, I can't serve a third term, it's unconstitutional? What's your thinking around it?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: A lot of people want me to do it. But we have – my thinking is, we have a long way to go. I’m focused on the current.

KRISTEN WELKER: Have you been presented with any potential plans that would allow you to serve a third term?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Well, there are plans. There are – not plans. There are, there are methods which you could do it, as you know.

KRISTEN WELKER: Basic– Well, let me throw out one where President Vance would run for office and then would, basically, if, if you – if he won, at the top of the ticket, would then pass the baton to you.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Well, that's one. But there are others too. There are others.

KRISTEN WELKER: There are others? Can you tell me another?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: No.

KRISTEN WELKER: Okay. So, but, but, sir, I'm hearing – you don't sound like you're joking. I've heard you joke about this a number of times.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: No, no I'm not joking. I’m not joking –

KRISTEN WELKER: Yeah. Yeah.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: But, I'm not – it is far too early to think about it.

KRISTEN WELKER: Okay. Okay. It's too early to think about it, but you’re not –

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: – If people would like, and I hope you're going to mention, I have the highest ratings of any Republican –

KRISTEN WELKER: Yep. Yeah–

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: – in 100 years.

KRISTEN WELKER:  Yeah, yeah.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Nobody’s had ratings like this.

KRISTEN WELKER: Yeah. Do you – would you want to serve a third term, sir? That's – it's a lot of work. President is the toughest job there is. It's the toughest job in the country. You think you have –

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Well, I like working.

KRISTEN WELKER: Yeah.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:  I like working, so, you know.

KRISTEN WELKER: Well, you, you–

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Unlike sleepy Joe, unlike sleepy Joe.

KRISTEN WELKER: Would you, would you – you wouldn't want to pass the baton to Vice President Vance?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Oh I may – It's too early –

KRISTEN WELKER: Too early –

PRES. DONALD TRUMP: – to even think about it.

While Trump is pretending to be "in the high 70s in many polls, in the real polls," this morning's new CBS poll finds 40% of Americans strongly disapprove of him; 11% somewhat disapprove; 19% somewhat approve; and only 31% strongly approve.