Donald Trump not running for president

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Updated 1:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Donald Trump ended his months-long public flirtation with a 2012 presidential run Monday, saying that he will not seek the Republican nomination -- even though he could have won the election.

"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency," Trump said in a statement. "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."

Trump made the announcement as NBC, the television network that runs his reality show, announced its fall lineup of shows. Prior to the announcement, NBC said it would bring back the show, "The Celebrity Apprentice," with a different host if Trump ran.

John W. Adkisson/Getty Images

There had been widespread skepticism about Trump's flirtation with a run grounded in the fact that he has closely guarded information about his finances in the past; Trump once sued one author that he said had low-balled an estimate of his net worth. Running for president would have meant that Trump would have needed to make significant financial disclosures to the Federal Election Commission.

Trump polled relatively well in early surveys of the GOP field, though his strength appeared to be more of a reflection of his name-recognition - and the wide-open nature of the contest for the nomination - than his presidential prospects. (Recent polls have found that more than half of Americans say they would not vote for him.) He is the second high-profile candidate - along with Mike Huckabee - to announce in recent days that he is not running.

Trump, who has been visiting key early voting states, was most known for raising so-called "birther" questions about President Obama's birthplace despite overwhelming evidence that Mr. Obama was born in the United States. Trump's focus on the issue appear to have prompted Mr. Obama to release his long-form birth certificate, a decision Trump took credit for. Some critics suggested Trump was using "birther" questions as well as questions about Mr. Obama's college admissions as a proxy for race. The release of the long-form birth certificate appeared to deal a blow to his standing as a candidate.

Some dismissed Trump's presidential flirtation as a publicity stunt, though if that was the case, it may have backfired: A recent three-hour episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" was the lowest-rated spring broadcast ever for the franchise.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Had he entered the GOP presidential race, Trump would likely have been dogged by past positions, including support for universal health care, a 14.25 percent tax on wealthy Americans and abortion rights. He had also donated generously to Democratic candidates.

Trump faced significant media criticism throughout his presidential flirtation, including, most recently, a New York Times front-page story about people who felt Trump had misled them about investment opportunities and the nature of his eponymous "university."

"I think he had some fun," Republican consultant Ed Rollins told CBS News. "But it's a tough game and I think he got knocked around a little bit."

In his statement, Trump thanked the "millions" who encouraged him to run and promised to "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," he said. "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."

"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," added Trump, who has a regular guest spot on Fox News.

Trump did not endorse a candidate, saying only that he will back the person "who is the most qualified to help us tackle our country's most important issues." He said he is "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."

13 Photos

Donald Trump in pictures

[dannyter]

I personally would like Sarah Palin & Donald Trump to team up (President & Vice President). We need a businessman like Donald Trump to get us started on cleaning up a big mess and getting companies going again in our own country - like cotton, our own fuel, etc... He's tough, and that's what we need. Sarah Palin - I like her values, and she's tough also, along with a great speaker and a family person!

[TheKenneth]

With every Republican suddenly re-entering the presidential race, will The Donald be far behind? Or is he waiting for a run as an Independent? Check out the new book "The Donald for President?? Holy Sh*t!!".

http://www.thedonaldforpresidentbook.blogspot.com/

[bitoja1]

When Donald speaks people listen. We have all have known Donald for a long, long time. He has alway represented the American Dream. I have watched him grow as a man through the years and when he is in the room representing me as an american I know he will have America's best interest in heart. I would be proud to have him as my president.

[illcountryboy]

Actually Trump and people like him are a good part of the reason why we are in the position we are in. Pure unadulterated greed drove the market and real estate to their bust.

[FirstReviewer]

I'm somewhat puzzled at Mr. Trump's decision not to run. He knows better than most how much this country is in trouble, and Yet, he's a no show when, In my opinion, it is his time to STEP UP.

Here's the thing. Yes he's the best Big Deal Fellow, but running this country is the Biggest Deal Going.

I'm not saying here that Mr. Trump needs to be President, but I do wish he would stay active, or at least support very actively who he thinks should be in the White House.

Mr. Trump does get things done. Take where the President was born. Yes I know, who Cared, but the President did release his birth certificate because of the Heat Mr. Trump put on him and Mr. Trump wasn't even in office. The President then Boxed Mr. Trump's Ears at some Dinner, but the fact remained that Mr. Trump won that round.

Folks the more thought that goes into this election the better off we all will be.

Regardless of what you, or I think about Mr. Trump he didn't get to where he is by being wrong in his decision making.

[noloyalisti]

There are actually no Republicons running for President and there won't be. There are only mindless puppets for the giant corporations and the greedy, filthy rich who run them. At the expense of the rest of us.

[Courty001]

actually don't mention that Guy to anyone/*

[rf35]

Thank goodness for small favors. Yet he might have been the Republican likely to do the least damage to the country if he won. I wonder if the real reason he is not running has to do with the required financial disclosures.

[daffy64]

"I'm not going to enter that contest. BUT I'D WIN IF I DID!!!"

Sounds really stupid in any situation, doesn't it?

[Lindag10]

What else would you expect from the Trumpet after all he has orange skin and some sort of road kill on his head.

[Birdman04]

I wonder if there is a bounty for that critter living on his head?

[jimbosouth]

CBS and the other networks should take a deep breath-this lightweight never was running for President. He was running for TV ratings for his childish TV show, and the networks sucked up to his idiotic statements as if they were cast in stone.Then the talking heads of same networks spent expensive airtime telling us again and again what the fool said today. Sounds like maybe Trump owns the network news as well as his bankrupt casinos. LOL.

[Lindag10]

by JV1970 May 17, 2011 12:13 PM EDT
Lindag10 Don't worry you'll hear from her if she decides to run! In fact she'll probably be in your face every day and you'll hear from her more than ever!


--------------------------------------

All too true JV. Although I find Sarah's sayings somewhat amusing, especially her frequent gaffes and inability to answer the most simple of questions, I also find her totally inept in matters that are of REAL importance to the running of the country. Don't hitch your team up just yet to follow her around in your trailer.

[Birdman04]

If she runs she will most likly quit in the middle of the race anyway. People with no honor, credibility or sense of responsibility tend to do that and not just once. Once a quitter always a quitter.
I hear she sells a mean book.

[Lindag10]

Birdman: Have no idea what's in her ghost written book and really don't care, but there seem to be plenty of people who actually bought and presumably read it.