Donald Trump CPAC Speech Stirs Buzz

Donald Trump's surprise appearance at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference is stirring buzz that the billionaire real estate mogul and television personality could mount a run for the White House in 2012.

The Trump camp reached out to organizers of the annual event regarding the possibility of the potential presidential contender delivering a speech, according to CNN. Trump reportedly confirmed he'd address the crowd earlier this week.

Trump signaled last year that he was interested in running for president in the next election cycle. During an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America," he said it "could be fun" to run because he'd "like to see some positive things happen for the country."

He also spoke out on the possibility of facing off against former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who signaled this week she's seriously considering running for president in the next election cycle.

"She's very interesting," explained Trump. "And don't underestimate her. I mean, I see what she does. Do not underestimate Sarah Palin.

One month earlier, Trump told Fox News that if he were to mount a presidential campaign he'd run as a Republican.

The AP relays what Trump had to say at CPAC on Thursday:

He says he may run because the United States has becoming what he calls the whipping post for the rest of the world. He says the country is becoming -- quote -- "the laughingstock of the world" and he's worried about its future.

Trump says the country needs an accomplished president. And he all but offered himself up as the answer.

Click here here for updates on CPAC 2011 and the latest news to come out on the conservative conference.

Comments

[898eed]

04:15 PM on 02/13/2011

As someone who lives outside the US I can definitely attest to the laughing stock statement. Most people I know agree with this, so stop burying your heads in the sand. Growing up as a kid everyone I knew viewed America as the greatest country in the world, but since Bush no one respects America anymore. The Financial crisis/Debt problem just makes things worse.

Also, people need to distinguish the difference between personal bankruptcy and corporate bankruptcy. Trump has never filed for personal bankruptcy, only corporate. It would be literally impossible to start as many businesses as Trump has and expect none of them to go bankrupt.

If someone starts 100 successful businesses and 10 of them fail, by this logic the businessman is a failure? It's like the people who diss NBA players for missing a free throw.

Not every business is a winner. Failure is a part of success, you cannot succeed if you don't fail and to expect someone to do otherwise is true lunacy.

[Adrian Keys]

03:02 PM on 02/13/2011

I can see the Democrats in their recliners reading this article right now. Oh yea, they are saying...let the Donald run....

[Pumpski]

02:24 AM on 02/13/2011

If I voted for a Republican it would be Ron Paul. He is a smart man. Trump would be a clown show. He recently made a statement in front of many people that are for Ron Paul for President that he has zero percent chance on being the nominee. Trump has less than zero chance. He doesn't have half the smarts as Ron Paul to be honest. Go back to reality shows and real estate Trump please.

[lw1]

12:39 AM on 02/13/2011

He could turn the White House into a reality show where celebrities vied to be in the cabinet. Then politics might finally be more popular than American Idol.

[lw1]

12:29 AM on 02/13/2011

Trump could definitely keep America from being the laughingstock of the world - they would all be too busy being fixated on his hairdo.

[hollybcars]

03:04 PM on 02/12/2011

I can see Donald renaming government buildings after himself like he does a lot of his real estate!

[lw1]

12:32 AM on 02/13/2011

Government buildings? HA! He would rename the Trump White House, Trumpareica, the District of Trumpia and the United Trump States.

[hollybcars]

11:56 AM on 02/13/2011

And how about a casino on the National Mall?

[Bagger]

11:20 AM on 02/12/2011

Donald Trump? I don't think that sits well with the Christian right and their morals.

[hagenjr]

02:48 AM on 02/12/2011

Wow so much Donald hate.
We need business leaders to become politicans, the lawyers we have arent getting it done.

Donald seems like a better candidate then many of the names on the right.

[YOKEL13]

03:34 AM on 02/12/2011

I don't hate The Donald.... it's that thing on his head!

[Bagger]

11:18 AM on 02/12/2011

The government is not a business.

[hollybcars]

03:01 PM on 02/12/2011

Thank you - A business exists to make a profit - that is NOT the mission of a government.

[Bucket-Of-Love]

10:30 PM on 02/11/2011

In Japan, men with comb-overs are called "bar code men", referring to the similarity between the striations caused by the comb and the UPC on products. The "barcode style" is called "bākōdo na kamigata". - Japan Akihiko Yonekawa ed Slang Dictionary (3rd edition, 2006)

[scared1234]

08:21 PM on 02/11/2011

You'd think with all that money the Donald would get a rug for his head. Comb-overs are so last Century.

[Adrian Keys]

03:04 PM on 02/13/2011

Watch your mouth...do you watch wrestling? That's real hair!

[kimbanyc]

07:44 PM on 02/11/2011

Did little kitty Michelle Bachman cough up that hairball on Trump's head?

[SuiginTou7]

08:17 PM on 02/11/2011

It's a tribble!!! I saw it move!!!!!

[nbb]

06:25 PM on 02/11/2011

People who walk around with hair a la Trump, even extraordinarily rich people, would be well advised to avoid using the term laughingstock.

[YOKEL13]

03:35 AM on 02/12/2011

He says he likes his hair.... can't help but wonder why.

[rozalindb]

05:55 PM on 02/11/2011

Here's a dream GOP ticket: The Trumpster and Fox News Junkie Kelsey Grammar,]. two men who've proved over and over that family values work on bumper stickers but mean nothing at the polls.

[StrictConstitutionalist1]

05:36 PM on 02/11/2011

A president who's actually accomplished? Say it ain't so. We prefer lawyers, community organizers and tax cheats to occupy our White House, not accomplished business people who actually have a clue. Take your business intellect, along with your various accomplishments elsewhere. Thank you very much.

[MarkAntney]

05:51 PM on 02/11/2011

Businessmen like say,... Bush, his Boss Cheney, Rumsfeld?

All declared DLTI for the GOP Convention, Don't Let Them In:):):)

How did that Triumverate Run the Country,... other than in the Ground that is?

[StrictConstitutionalist1]

11:46 PM on 02/11/2011

Notice I said, "Accomplished business people."

[YOKEL13]

03:38 AM on 02/12/2011

What's DLTI? Or is it "Don't Let Them In"?

[tryingtodobetter]

08:22 PM on 02/11/2011

Yes we need more men with multiple wives, bankruptcy's, and beauty pageants for accomplishments.

[StrictConstitutionalist1]

11:48 PM on 02/11/2011

Are you suggesting Donald Trump claimed bankruptcy? Because I know for a FACT that he has NEVER claimed bankruptcy. Rosie O'Donnell was spreading lies such as the one you're proposing and she nearly landed herself in court. She knew she was wrong and she knew she was legally liable so she dropped the issue. Might I suggest you do the same.

[blukazoo]

04:10 PM on 02/11/2011

If anyone knows about being a laughingstock, it's got to be the guy with the ridiculous come over.

[ArticulateAndClean]

09:35 PM on 02/11/2011

It's a comb over, not a come over.

You're a spelling laughingstock, so don't throw stones.

[Bucket-Of-Love]

10:27 PM on 02/11/2011

Actually, "comb-over" and "combover" are more acceptable spellings.