Property mogul and TV personality Donald Trump has taken the first steps towards launching a 2016 presidential campaign, with signs that the businessman may jump into the Republican race after publicly considering it in previous years.
Mr Trump said he has formed an exploratory committee to determine whether to run and that he has already hired staff in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Those states will be the first to hold Republican and Democratic presidential nomination contests early next year.
Mr Trump told reporters that he would put his job creation record up against anyone, including the dozen or so Republicans who are considering a White House run in 2016.
“I have been dealing with politicians all my life,” Mr Trump said. “They’re all talk and no action, and that’s the way it is.”
Job creation
Mr Trump said that as president he would spur job creation. One way he would do this is by cracking down on what he called China’s manipulation of its currency, a practice that he said has been adopted by Japan.
“I would be extremely strong on the devaluation of their currency,” Mr Trump said.
The businessman also said he would increase security along the US-Mexican border.
Mr Trump, who owns several hotels and hosts the reality show The Apprentice, has toyed with running before but has indicated that this time he is serious about considering it.
A growing list of Republicans is weighing White House runs, including Florida senator Marco Rubio, South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, former Florida governor Jeb Bush and New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
Mr Trump has garnered attention for his criticism of Barack Obama’s policies. He also ruffled feathers with discredited questions over whether Mr Obama was born in the US, which led to Mr Obama releasing his long-form birth certificate in order to end the controversy.
Mr Trump will not renew his contract for The Apprentice while he explores running, according to The New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper.
Mr Trump is to go to New Hampshire on Thursday to meet with business owners and war veterans.
Reuters