Exclusive: Donald Trump Says Presidential Run 'Could be Fun,' Decision by June

[Guest areafiftyone]

ABC News:

Real estate tycoon, reality show star and now a presidential candidate? Donald Trump told me he is seriously considering a run for the White House and will make a final decision by June.

“I am thinking about things. And I'm looking at this country, George, and what's happened in terms of respect. And the respect for this country is just not there,” he said. “I have many people from China that I do business with, they laugh at us. They feel we're fools. And almost being led by fools. And they can't believe what they're getting away with.”

The United States is a “whipping post” right now and China is “getting away with murder” because it’s manipulating its currency, he said. But he claims all of that would stop under a Trump Administration. He would start by tackling the price of oil and taxing China -- even though they are our bankers Trump insists we still have control.

“I don't think the bankers have the cards. I think you have the cards. And in this case, in-- in the case of China, you literally are taxing China, you'll pay off your debt very quickly. And don't forget, you're talking about trade war, right,” he said.

“When you have billions in dollars in deficits with a country, those are the trade wars I like. You don't have to do business with China. You don't have to do business with other countries,” Trump told me.

Trump would run as a Republican - although he refused to tell me his stance on abortion– and didn’t rule out a self-funded campaign. He said he could “very easily” spend more than $200 million on it.

This isn’t the first time Trump has made noise about a presidential run - in 1999 he set up an exploratory committee but told me he never really wanted to run that year.

So how serious is “The Donald” about a presidential campaign now?

If his poll numbers hold up and if “the country continues to be taken advantage of by the world” then he said he would run.

“Would I rather be in the race or not be in the race? I can tell you, I love what I'm doing. I'm having a great time what I'm doing. I'd rather not be in the race,” he said.

[Guest areafiftyone]

Well I have to say there will be no shortage of interesting characters in the race in 2012. As far as Donald Trump - there are good things and bad things about him. He's a diehard NYer, a moderate Republican and a good businessman (except for his casinos which he really abandoned to bankruptcy). He would I say bring some fun to the race but he won't win unless he has a really good strategy against Obama and all the other Republicans who are going to run. I truly doubt it though.

[Guest areafiftyone]

The United States is a “whipping post” right now and China is “getting away with murder” because it’s manipulating its currency, he said. But he claims all of that would stop under a Trump Administration. He would start by tackling the price of oil and taxing China -- even though they are our bankers Trump insists we still have control. “I don't think the bankers have the cards. I think you have the cards. And in this case, in-- in the case of China, you literally are taxing China, you'll pay off your debt very quickly. And don't forget, you're talking about trade war, right,” he said. “When you have billions in dollars in deficits with a country, those are the trade wars I like. You don't have to do business with China. You don't have to do business with other countries,” Trump told me.

 

Sounds interesting. I like it.

[pollyannaish]

If Sarah Palin is too much of a self promoting politician, I don't see how The Donald brings anything more substantial to the table.

 

So let me be the first to say Donald....You're fired.

[Stella]

Because of reality tv and The Apprentice, everyone knows about Donald Trump. He truly looks and acts like a leader. He puts Obama to shame. Everyone is welcome to run in the Primary.

[Guest areafiftyone]

If Sarah Palin is too much of a self promoting politician, I don't see how The Donald brings anything more substantial to the table.

 

So let me be the first to say Donald....You're fired.

 

 

He may not be an ideal candidate but I'm willing to hear what he has to say. I'll watch him in the debates for the "Entertainment Value!" (and to see if his hair moves!) LOL!

[Guest areafiftyone]

Because of reality tv and The Apprentice, everyone knows about Donald Trump. He truly looks and acts like a leader. He puts Obama to shame. Everyone is welcome to run in the Primary.

 

He'll be fun to watch. At least I can say that about him. Not sure what his stand on issues will be but heck - why not! Like he says it will be fun, at least in the beginning before we get all crazy at the end of the primaries!