Trump endorses Mitt Romney for president

Mitt Romney and Donald Trump

/ AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

UPDATED 5:16 p.m. ET

Reality television show host Donald Trump injected himself into the race for the Republican nomination for president, endorsing Mitt Romney just days before Nevada voters head to the polls to decide who they want to take on President Obama in November.

"It is my honor, real honor, and privilege to endorse Mitt Romney," Trump said with Romney and Romney's wife Ann at his side for the brief announcement at a Las Vegas hotel bearing Trump's name.

"Mitt is tough. He is smart. He is sharp. He is not going to allow bad things to continue to happen to this country that we all love. So Gov. Romney, go out and get em. You can do it," Trump added.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Trump's announcement comes ten days before the beginning of the new season of Trump's reality show, "The Apprentice," which airs February 12.

While some questioned whether Romney would want the endorsement of Trump, Romney said he was glad to have it.

"It means a great deal to have the endorsement of Mr. Trump," Romney said, referring to the publicity maven the same way contestants on his reality show refer to him. In the press, the real estate mogul is often known as "The Donald."

"There are some things that you just can't imagine happening in your life. This is one of them," Romney said, noting that he he is "looking for the endorsement of the people of Nevada."

The endorsement marks a turnaround in relations between the two men. Romney skipped a debate that Trump had planned to moderate in December. The debate was later canceled. And Trump in April dismissed Romney's record at Bain Capital and called him a "small business guy" who destroyed jobs to CNN.

Romney is widely expected to win the Saturday caucus in Nevada, where four years ago he garnered more than triple the support of his next closest competitor, Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

Trump told reporters in Las Vegas ahead of the official announcement that he would hit the campaign trail on behalf of the Republican front-runner.

"Well they'd like me to and I'll do as much as I can," Trump said when asked if he would make appearances with Romney.

Asked if he would give money to the super PAC supporting Romney, Trump said he might.

"It could happen ... I want to see what happens. I've made a number of donations but yeah that's a possibility," Trump said.

Several media outlets, including CBS News, The Associated Press and The New York Times, erroneously reported late Wednesday and early Thursday that Trump would endorse rival Newt Gingrich.

Trump blamed the Gingrich campaign for spreading that word.

Referring to the Gingrich campaign when asked about those reports, he replied: "They put that out. You know that, right?"

CNN first reported Thursday morning that Trump would endorse Romney.

Trump has toyed with jumping in the presidential race himself as a third party candidate after his reality program ends its season in May.

But he said he would only jump in the race as an independent that if the Republican candidate he likes gets fired by the voters.

"If that candidate would get the nomination, I absolutely would not run," Trump said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation." He decided against a bid last year after attacking Mr. Obama relentlessly about releasing the so-called "long-form" of his birth certificate from the state of Hawaii.

Additional reporting by Sarah B. Boxer, Laura Strickler and Lindsey Boerma.

[thomasmc1957]

A Romney presidency would only benefit the very Filthy Rich. And that's why Trump loves him.

[bkburns]

Newt Gingrich is going to have a hard time catching Mitt Romney. Gingrich has positive political experiences, but Americans don't elect Presidents based on political track records. Morals must be a consideration. What about wealth, is that more important than morals? Donald Trump endorsed Mitt Romney. One millionaire to another, had he endorsed Gingrich would they say one divorcee to another?

[slatep]

WHO CARES.!!

[ProgressNow]

Mitt was so proud of talking with Trump that he had to sneak out the back door for fear the press would see him. What a con man this "man" is. Obama 2012.

[ProgressNow]

I would caption the above picture "Dumb Introduces Dumber".

[mariannpepit]

Rommney is a good family man but what stops me from voting for him is his religion. I am an evangelical and Mormon's do not believe Jesus is God and read from a different bible. I am voting for Newt because I think he is the stronger between the two to run this county and could handle world leaders better. His two divorces are his personal past and I look past that. Every marriage is different and people divorce for reasons that we don't need to know. If you like Newt vote for him, if you like Mitt vote for him. The media should stop with trash reports and find the good in both candidates.

[ProgressNow]

I find it fascinating to watch you high and mighty evangelicals compromise your "values" when faced with four very bad options. Obama 2012...

[mmagliaro]

Ha! They said this was a surprise because people expected Trump to support Newt. HE STILL DOES. Anybody he endorses will take a hit, so Trump endorses the guy he doesn't support.

[ProgressNow]

Ok Don...go with Mitt, but you know good and well that when Nut (Newt) becomes President (never happen), your lucrative contracts to develop the Moon have just gone to hell...

[mariannpepit]

All the candidates running are good people but there has to be a winner and a loser. Whoever is your choice for president you should vote for and don't let the Ads sway your mind. There could be a lie in some of the Ads you just have to check out the facts for yourself before voting. Santorum and Paul are not going to make it for the nomination and should endorse either Rommney or Gingrich because they are taking the votes away from both parties. The polls showing Obama slipping, no one knows the outcome until its all over. People can change their minds on a candidate. Obama is a good family loving person but he did not follow his promises in his campaign. The troops were suppose to be coming home 60 days after his election and Gitmo was suppose to close immediately. Neither was done. But, what former president was perfect. All presidents, mayors and governors have made blunders. The olde saying is: don't live in the past. Move on.

[Craigthebutterflyman]

This is definitely a plus for Newt