For Immediate Release:
New York, New York: May 16, 2011
After
considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue
the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or
without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be
validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls
across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to
run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general
election. I have spent the past several
months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public
office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is
my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector.
I
want to personally thank the millions of Americans who have joined the
various Trump grassroots movements and written me letters and e-mails
encouraging me to run. My gratitude for your faith and trust in me
could never be expressed properly in words. So, I make you this
promise: that I will continue to voice my opinions loudly and help to
shape our politician’s thoughts. My ability to bring important economic
and foreign policy issues to the forefront of the national dialogue is
perhaps my greatest asset and one of the most valuable services I can
provide to this country. I will continue to push our President and the
country’s policy makers to address the dire challenges arising from our
unsustainable debt structure and increasing lack of global
competitiveness. Issues, including getting tough on China and other
countries that are methodically and systematically taking advantage of
the United States, were seldom mentioned before I brought them to the
forefront of the country’s conversation. They are now being debated
vigorously. I will also continue to push for job creation, an
initiative that should be this country’s top priority and something
that I know a lot about. I will not shy away from expressing the
opinions that so many of you share yet don’t have a medium through
which to articulate.
I look forward to supporting the candidate
who is the most qualified to help us tackle our country’s most
important issues and am hopeful that, when this person emerges, he or
she will have the courage to take on the challenges of the Office and
be the agent of change that this country so desperately needs.
Thank you and God Bless America!
Donald J. Trump