Donald Trump: I'm Not Running for President

By PopEater Staff Posted May 16th 2011 12:54PM

Yet again Donald Trump flirted with a White House run, and just like before he's taking a pass for the buck. The business mogul and 'Apprentice' host released a statement Monday afternoon announcing his intention to stay in the business of business, which he called his "greatest passion."

"I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly," he said. "Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."

Read the full statement:

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

In 2000, Trump thought seriously about running as the Reform Party candidate but dropped out when it became clear he wouldn't be able to beat both Al Gore and George W. Bush. In both 2004 and 2008, he lightly flirted with jumping into the ring as well. In the last election, he endorsed Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary but John McCain in the general election.

Throughout his non-campaign, Trump zeroed in on the issue of President Barack Obama's birth certificate, which many believed would reveal he was a secret Muslim Socialist from KenyaIndonesiastan. Propped up by support from the popular "Birther" movement, Trump's poll numbers soared within the Republican Party and at one point they hinted he was a possible frontrunner-in-the-making.

But then Obama released his long form birth document, which affirmed what the State of Hawaii has stated for years: that he was born in the United States. Obama used Trump as the butt of many jokes at the White House Correspondents Dinner last month and since then his candidacy has lost much of its early lustre.

The decision ends speculation on whether Trump will be returning to his 'Apprentice' franchise on NBC. The network announced at their Upfront presentation on Monday that 'The Celebrity Apprentice' would be coming back in midseason. Bob Greenblatt, the head of NBC entertainment, said the only mystery would be whether Trump was host. But then Trump took the stage and said two things: 1. He's not running for President. 2. He wants to keep doing 'The Apprentice.'

He is the second Republican to drop out of consideration in two days. Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, announced on his FOX News talk show on Saturday night that would not seek the nomination.

Tags: Donald Trump, The Apprentice

Comments

(61)

Monday 16 May

By DR. JERRY

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There's a lot of sad Democrats out there today. They were looking forward to an easy win against America's biggest windbag in Nov 2012. 'Tis pity.

By jrtott

I don't think Trump wanted to go and expose all his records, his Taxes, his off shore real estate and not his Draft records. so he is out

By julia

I don't think Trump wanted to go and expose all his records, his Taxes, his off shore real estate and not his Draft records and to add,
live in a smaller house, have the secret service watching his every move, put his wealth in a blind trust, and not be able to make a unilateral decision. He couldn't fire congress if they did something he didn't like.

By Lola

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NO trump
NO Huckabee

Newt, Palin,Bahman, Cain and on and on NO WAY

OBAMA 2012!!!!! YES!!!

By toldusodems

Vote down Vote up Report this

HELL NO OBAMA MUST GO..........................2012 PUSH TO VOTE OUT IS ON.

By SkyBlue

Finally got smart, didn't he? He had no chance in hell of winning.

By dbrns124

Donald Trump is running from Obama like a whipped dog. After the roasting he took at the Correspondents Dinner and the birth certificate fiasco people realized that he is a real joke. And once Obama got Osama Trump realized he had no chance of winning.

By ron

Hey Donald, your fired only because you are a a- hole

By jerry

This azz-hole Trump never was going to run anyway, he is just a dis-rupter who enjoys turmoil. Chances are he made money in his show of idiocy. There isn't a sane person who would have voted for him anyway.

By Mike Rubin

Finally the blowhard's mouth wrote a check his rear couldn't cash.

By dayhold

Trump is a blowhard and Letterman is a senile bitter vindictive blowhard.

By Lou

I still think that windbag should get a radio or tv show opposite Rush. They are both the loudest most diengenuous people on the planet. I will give the guy credit though for bluffing his way in to enough deals to make money. I don't know if that will continue, his reputation, such as it was, has been tarnished.

By Carol L. Ziegler

Those of us who have known Donald Trump for decades never for a single moment thought he would run. This is a way for him to attract attention and make money from his TV show. and other equally serious business ventures. He may be "smart"-though you would never know that from listening to him speak (publically or privately. But mainly he is a foolwho has said really ugly and divisive things. Mr. Trump: If you love your country (my country) as you claim, please stay off the public stage-permanently. You bring disgrace and dishonor to our very special American brand. NBC: I know you need the ratings but please cancel his "reality" sideshow. All of you out there who live in a building with his name on it, organize for a name change.

By Mary

Good night people-you actually believe he could possibly run? Just like him saying he decided not to drive the pace car at the Indy 500 because he had bigger prospects down the road.
He declined driving the pace car because no one wanted him too. He decided not to run for President because no one wanted him too. He is a joke-a reality TV joke.

By Lisa

Thank God!!!!!!!!

By marylamb62

It is a great day for America!

By joan

Hio hip hooray....Donald just made my day!!!!

By judy warren

no suprise it was a gimic any way now shut your mouth

By Mel

When I first heard him talking about running I was mad but now I was kind of getting excited to see him make a fool of himself. I guess he already realized that most Americans think him running would just be a joke.

I think he is awful the way he came in with his big mouth making a joke out of it. Donald Trump is a phoney. He is a media ho to the highest number.

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