Donald Trump again claims he may run in 2012
Real estate mogul and reality television star Donald Trump is again claiming he may seek the presidency in 2012.
Fresh off a meeting with Sarah Palin, Trump told Good Day New York that he may run as an independent. He claimed that he could still meet his reality show obligations to NBC if he did so.
Trump announced last month that he would not seek the presidency, shortly after NBC said it would bring back his show, "The Celebrity Apprentice," with a different host if Trump ran.
Trump said Wednesday that he if he were to run, it would be "as soon as the Apprentice" ends.
"I could absolutely run as an independent, and maybe I'd be better off," he said.
Trump cannot use his show in service of a presidential runbecause it could violate equal time laws mandating that if one candidate is given time on a network, that network "shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates for that office in the use of such broadcasting station." Trump's use of the show during a presidential run could also be seen as a de facto donation to the potential candidate on the part of the network.
Trump has closely guarded his finances in the past; a presidential run would require him to file disclosure statements with the Federal Election Commission, something most Trump observers do not believe he would be willing to do.
Still, Trump continues to say he is considering a run, claiming to Good Day New York, a morning show on New York's Fox station, that Palin - who is considering a run of her own - "wants me to run."
Palin visits Trump in NYC while on motor tour
In the interview, Trump complained about the GOP, pointing to the "ridiculous timing" of the release of Rep. Paul Ryan's budget plan that would transform Medicare.
"Why he came forward with this plan at this time instead of letting Obama come forward...I'm looking at the way the Republicans are running themselves, and frankly I think you're better off doing it as an independent, I really do, there's so much baggage with the Republicans, what they're doing," he said.
In the interview, Trump repeatedly referred to his reality show as a "hit" and said it is "very hard to give up a hit show" because he was making a "tremendous amount of money."
Trump also appeared Wednesday on Fox News morning show "Fox & Friends." There he said Palin wants him to reconsider his decision not to run, saying, "she'd love me to get back." He said the two did not discuss running together in their meeting Tuesday evening.
