This is how many terms a US president can serve - and if Donald Trump could stay for a third term

Donald Trump will be vying with Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden to clinch the US presidency. 

A victory for Trump would mean a second four-year term in charge of the land of the free. 

But just how long could the divisive leader be in charge if he was to have a second victory? 

How long can a US president serve? 

The 22nd amendment of the United States of America constitution, ratified in 1951, states that: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

If a vice president or any senior politician steps in for a president during their term and goes on to serve two years of that presidency, they are only allowed to be re-elected once. 

This would mean that current president, Donald Trump, could serve a maximum of eight years as the US president. 

Has this always been the case? 

No, prior to the 22nd amendment, US presidents could serve beyond the two-term limit.