Trump not running for president
(CNN) - Real estate mogul and television celebrity Donald Trump, who generated a media publicity blitz by saying he might run for president in 2012, announced Monday that he will instead remain a businessman.
"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the presidency," Trump said in a statement.
With his typical bravado, Trump maintained that he would have won the Republican primary and the general election, but recognized that "running for public office cannot be done half-heartedly."
"Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector," Trump said in the statement.
Trump's flirtation with running for the Republican nomination included his demand that President Barack Obama make public his full birth certificate from Hawaii.
Obama previously had provided a shorter version that serves as the public record in Hawaii, but amid the media glare on the issue raised in part by Trump's repeated questioning of whether the so-called long version of the document existed, the president released it last month.
At an NBC presentation of the network's fall line-up, Trump, star of "Celebrity Apprentice," said "NBC has been amazing. This will be our 12th season and I have to say I love 'Celebrity Apprentice.'"
"I will not be running for president as much as I'd like to," Trump added.
Full release:"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector.
I want to personally thank the millions of Americans who have joined the various Trump grassroots movements and written me letters and e-mails encouraging me to run. My gratitude for your faith and trust in me could never be expressed properly in words. So, I make you this promise: that I will continue to voice my opinions loudly and help to shape our politician's thoughts. My ability to bring important economic and foreign policy issues to the forefront of the national dialogue is perhaps my greatest asset and one of the most valuable services I can provide to this country. I will continue to push our President and the country's policy makers to address the dire challenges arising from our unsustainable debt structure and increasing lack of global competitiveness. Issues, including getting tough on China and other countries that are methodically and systematically taking advantage of the United States, were seldom mentioned before I brought them to the forefront of the country's conversation. They are now being debated vigorously. I will also continue to push for job creation, an initiative that should be this country's top priority and something that I know a lot about. I will not shy away from expressing the opinions that so many of you share yet don't have a medium through which to articulate.
I look forward to supporting the candidate who is the most qualified to help us tackle our country's most important issues and am hopeful that, when this person emerges, he or she will have the courage to take on the challenges of the Office and be the agent of change that this country so desperately needs."
Thank you and God Bless America!
Donald J. Trump
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Bill Cosby knew the deal
As if we thought you were ever going to run!!! We knew this was a publicity stunt for your shows and ratings. Come do you really think we're that gullible Donald?!? seriously....
i thank the good lord.. i couldnt take anymore of his self promoting bs
I'm not sure about his stance on many issues, but his ideas to even trade with China were engaging. Maybe some of the business minds in our country could be invited to the White House to address better ways to generate gdp and create jobs. I believe Mr. Trump would have made the debates lively and ideas on job creation would be forced to the spotlight.
My God – how will the country survive?
Dang, I wanted him to run–as an Independent so he could divide the Republican vote–instand success for President Obama! Perfect.
Wow...what a shocker! P.T. Barnum decides not to run for President. Meanwhile his ratings and brand are stronger than ever. Don't blame the playa...blame the game!
Good. Now he can stay put and continue defacing NYC's skyline and reiverfront.
What a joke. He never planned on running to begin with since it was nothing more than a publicity stunt. He pulls this every so many years.
He knew all along he wasn't going to run for president. He and Newt Gingrich are only good for swapping ex-wife stories.
Anyone that ever believed that this phony was really going to run is as stupid as Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachman. Trump would never be able to show his true wealth or history of business dealings because he thievery and lack of morality and ethics would have been made public.
The man is an expert at filing for bankrupcty protection.
Unfortunately, he could be the best man for the job 2012.
And the clown sits down!
He couldn't find his birth certificate.
My brother predicted this.
With bin Laden killed and the economy recovering, one Republican after another will decline to be the man Obama beats in 2012.
Except "Knut" Gingrich, whose "DON'T JUDGE ME BY MY PAST !!" sounds like a real winner as a campaign slogan.
AAAWWWWW!! I was so looking forward to seeing him run. The entertainment factor would have been great, especially if Palin and some of the other self-promoting candidates
I look forward to supporting the candidate who is the most qualified to help us tackle our country's most important issues and am hopeful that, when this person emerges, he or she will have the courage to take on the challenges of the Office and be the agent of change that this country so desperately needs."
– Gosh, Donald Trump just endorsed the re-election of President Obama!
Good riddance…….. Wish NBC and the Golf Channel can get rid of him.
Thanks Trump for successfully making a big fool out of yourself!!! You just made my day!!! Hahaha...
He is holding out for Pope.
Good grief. This man's ego is unimaginable.
I didn't think he would in the end. He'd have to fill out a ton of financial disclosure information.
He wasted our time, diverted attention from real candidates, he is a Greedy Moron who needs attention. Can the media please stop wasting our time with people like him
Yayness!!! If Trump had become president, I would have moved to Canada.
Publicity seeking wimp. Couldn't stand the heat once he got in the kitchen. Lots of talk but no action. Blah, blah, blah. Go back to your show that nobody watches.