• Politics

Trump Forming Exploratory Committee for 2016 Presidential Bid

3 minute read
<> on February 27, 2015 in Washington, DC.
Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.Alex Wong—Getty Images
By Sam Frizell

Donald Trump announced Wednesday he is forming a presidential exploratory committee for 2016, marking the fourth election cycle since 1999 that the eccentric real estate mogul has flirted with a White House bid.

“I have a great love for our country, but it is a country that is in serious trouble,” Trump said. “I am the only one who can make America truly great again!”

Trump said in a statement that he has made “several key hires” in early primary states including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has a staff of political advisers based in New York.

Michael Cohen, special counsel to Trump, declined to give further details about the businessman’s staff or his exploratory committee. “I can confirm that he remains serious about running for the office of the presidency,” said Cohen. “Specifics will be released by Mr. Trump in a short period of time.”

Trump has a long-standing habit of feigning at a run for the White House. In 2011, he delayed the renewal of his hit television show The Celebrity Apprentice and fanned speculation he was running for president, only to announce he was not running. Trump said in run-up to 2004 he was “very seriously” mulling a bid, and in 1999 he formed an exploratory committee and considered running that year as an Independent.

This year, Trump has said he’s “more serious than ever before” about running for president, a trope he also invoked in 2011. “A lot of people think I’m doing this for fun, they think it’s good for my brand,” Trump said last month at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland. “I’m not doing this for fun. I’m doing this because we have to take our country back.”

The flashy and outspoken star of The Celebrity Apprentice would face significant challenges if he chooses to run for president. Nearly three-quarters of GOP primary voters said they couldn’t see themselves supporting Donald Trump in a presidential run, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, uniting more Republicans against his candidacy than any other potential candidate.

In 2000, Trump said he supported federal single-payer health care, a platform that is wildly unpopular among conservatives, and at one time supported a net worth tax of 14.25% on all Americans worth more than $10 million to repay the national debt.

Trump has a booked travel schedule in the next three months, Cohen said, and will be speaking often in the early primary states. He be in New Hampshire this Thursday to meet with local veterans and business owners.

Cohen said Trump has not yet renewed his show The Celebrity Apprentice.

“Nobody in the history of television has turned down a renewal,” a political advisor to Trump, Corey Lewandowski, told the New Hampshire Union Leader. “But Mr. Trump can do that.”

Behind the Scenes of CPAC

Peter Dudziak of John, Minnesota attends CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2014.
Peter Dudziak of John, Minnesota attends CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2014.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Nine year old Thomas H. from Virginia at his first CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
Nine year old Thomas H. from Virginia at his first CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Sarah Palin at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, MD on Feb. 26, 2015.
Sarah Palin at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, MD on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC Conservatives Republicans Ben Carson
Dr. Ben Carson gives a speech to open Thursday's session at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC Conservatives Republicans
Timothy Flynn from New York City poses in an American flag jacket at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Rick Santorum takes a selfie with a supporter at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
Rick Santorum takes a selfie with a supporter at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
A Rand Paul supporter at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, MD on Feb. 26, 2015.
A Rand Paul supporter at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Rand Paul speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
Rand Paul speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC Conservatives Republicans Ted Cruz
Sen. Ted Cruz shakes hands with a Sarah Palin supporter at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC Conservatives Republicans
A reporter asks attendees to choose their favorite candidate at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC attendees listen to Donald Trump in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
CPAC attendees listen to Donald Trump in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Jeb Bush speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
Jeb Bush speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gives a thumb's up at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gives a thumb's up at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC Conservatives Republicans Rand Paul
A supporter poses with a life-size cutout of Rand Paul at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC Conservatives Republicans Ben Carson
Retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson greets supporters at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Former Republican Governor of Texas Rick Perry at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, MD on Feb. 26, 2015.
Former Republican Governor of Texas Rick Perry at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Buttons for past Republican campaigns on display at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Rand Paul speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
Supporters watch Rand Paul speak at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Donald Trump signs a Playboy magazine at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
Donald Trump signs a Playboy magazine at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
Attendees applaud at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.
Attendees applaud at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
CPAC Conservatives Republicans
An empty room ready for the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME

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