Donald Trump: Presidential run is no publicity stunt

Donald Trump attends the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 23, 2010, at Yankee Stadium in New York.

/ Mike Stobe/Getty Images

(CBS/AP) Billionaire Donald Trump  has  in the past  showed  such a knack for self-promotion  that people are wondering about his plans to run for president.  Is he serious?

Trump denies that he is discussing a run for 2012 president as a way to create buzz for his reality TV show, which debuted Sunday night on NBC.

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Trump told NY1 News that he will decide by June whether he will be a Republican candidate in the 2012 race.

In an interview on Tuesday, he admitted that his biggest challenge will be convincing everyone that he is serious about running.

According to marketing expert Jack Trout, Trump is simply using the media to get free publicity. "It's one of the great media scams of all time," he says. It is an ego trip, as well as a boon to Trump's business, which depends on his name, Trout says.

Trump disagrees and says that he is looking at running "very seriously." In addition, he says he does not need publicity for his show, "Celebrity Apprentice," as it received solid ratings for Sunday's episode, drawing  7.9 million viewers.

One of Trump's representatives flew to Iowa to attend a series of meeting with key Republicans. Caucuses in Iowa typically launch the presidential nominating season.

Trump says his representative was "swamped" when he went to Iowa.

Do you think Trump is trying to gain publicity for his show? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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[robertsensler]

I whole-heartedly agree that Donald Trump SHOULD run for President.

[MarktheBear53]

Donald Trump not only should declare his candidacy for the Republican Presidential nomination soon and not wait until June, he would be a very strong candidate. I believe that Democrats are scared stiff with the idea of a Trump candidacy. Certainly, he would have no money problems if he made a run for the presidency. Mr. Trump, don't hesitate - throw your hat into the presidential ring!

[bundye]

Presidensy? P L E A S E!