Donald Trump in pictures

Donald Trump, speaks at the Conservative Political Action conference — Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Business magnate Donald Trump publicly toyed with the idea of a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in the spring before deciding against it in May. Here's a look back at appearances he made during that time and his past life in the spotlight.

Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action conference on February 10, 2011, in Washington. In his remarks at CPAC, Trump espoused his view that Ron Paul, another potential presidential contender, had "zero chance of getting elected" president. Meanwhile, the White House recently is expressed similar sentiments about Trump's chances of getting the job.

Trump and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili address a press conference to annouce a real estate project by Donald Trump in Georgia, at the Trump Tower in New York, March 10, 2011. Saakashvili and Trump announced the development of two luxury properties by Donald Trump and the Silk Road Group in the Black Sea resort of Batumi and another tower in Tbilisi, Georgia's capital.

Trump joins Ali Torri, Rudolph W. Giuliani, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former President Bill Clinton, Joe Torre, and Billy Crystal for a round of golf at the 2008 Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation Golf Classic. The event took place at the Trump National Golf Club on July 14, 2008 in Briarcliff Manor, New York.

Trump, with daughter Ivanka and son Donald Jr., speaks during the 2007 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour to promote "The Apprentice" for NBC on January 17, 2007 in Pasadena, California.

New York State Senator Martin J. Golden (at left) listens as Trump testifies before the Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security Subcommittee Capitol Hill July 21, 2005 in Washington. The hearing was held on the topic of "U.S. Financial Involvement in Renovation of U.N. Headquarters."

Trump appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios, on September 7, 2004 in Burbank, California.

Trump, Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutierrez and his wife Ximena Boorquez smile at photographers during the Miss Universe show, in Quito, Ecuador, June 1, 2004. Trump, who owns the show, charged 7,600 spectators $250 a seat for the glitzy, tux-and-gown event.

Trump and former Minnesota Govenor Jesse Ventura take questions at a news conference after Trump gave a speech at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon January 7, 2000 in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the city where Ventura was once mayor. Trump also spoke at a fund-raiser for the Jesse Ventura Volunteer Committee in Brooklyn Park.

Trump reaches for a pen as he signs a copy of his book "Trump, The America We Deserve" during a book signing at Trump Towers January 5, 2000 in New York, NY.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani jokes with Trump as they take a walk down the runway during the NYC2000 fashion show in Times Square September 13, 1999, in New York City.

Trump enters the Plaza Hotel in New York on December 21, 1994. Hundreds of supporters showed up at a news conference where Trump denied a New York newspaper report that the Sultan of Brunei had bid $300 million to buy the Manhattan hotel.

Trump touches former wife Marla Maples' stomach to confirm published reports that the actress was pregnant, on April 7, 1993. The two arrived for Maples appearance in the Broadway musical "The Will Rogers Follies." The couple divorced in 1999.