Donald Trump Speaks at National Press Club Luncheon ...2 of 2 >
May 27, 2014 - NPC president Myron Belkind introduced Trump as "the most recognized businessman in the world."  Trump started his remarks stating, "Our country, which I love very dearly, is in serious trouble, but the Old Post Office building right down the road on Pennsylvania Ave. is not.  It is going to be spectacular."  Trump said he would invest more that $200 million in the project to make it one of the great hotels of the world. 

On branding, Trump talked about his brand, which is based on quality and aspirational desires, and he highlighted a number of milestones including his 1987 book Trump: The Art of the Deal, The Apprentice, and his use of social media.  "I don't do press releases any more; if I want a press release I just put it on Twitter," he said.  He contrasted the success of his brand with that of the United States in recent years.  "So you look at the United States, and let's look at branding.  We haven't had a success in years.  Where have we had a success?" Trump asked.

He closed his remarks,
 
"We have to take our business back from China and other countries.  We have to take it back.  And you will see, I said it, it's about winning.  Winning.  We've got to start winning.  Not one good—and I searched everything—we haven't had one good story about this country being great for years, and its about time we started getting the good stories.  And we can do it, but you need proper leadership."
Trump also addressed his engagement in presidential politics.

"I never said I was running, other than the last time when I said I might run.  But I never did.  But everybody thinks—  You know I made a speech in New Hampshire years ago for a friend of mine.  Becasue I made a speech in New Hampshire everybody said I was running for president, which I wasn't.  I did give it serious consideration.  I don't know what happened to Mitt Romney.  It looked like he was going to do fine.  I was leading in every poll; I was doing great.  But I love what I'm doing.  I love building the Old Post Office.  I love building Dubai.  I love building Panama.  I love building all of these buildings that we're doing.  I just love it.  I love what I'm doing....  So I would prefer not running and I did prefer not running..."

The first question Belkind asked was, "You have flirted, I think that's the right word, you have flirted several times with a possible run for the presidency.  Why have you never run?"

Trump responded,

"Well, again, I didn't flirt.  People were asking me to run; they wanted me for a lot of things including governor.  I said no, no, no, and I kept saying no, no, no and they wanted me to run for governor of New York.  I never wanted to do it, I said I didn't  and finally I just said I'm not doing it.   But I didn't flirt; people wanted me to run.

"We're going to see what happens in '16; we're going to see what happens.  I want to see what's going on.  This country is in serious trouble and I'm going to see what's going on.  But I didn't flirt.  And I think I probably during the speech cleared it up pretty much.  I love what I'm doing.  I would rather do what I'm doing than do that.  But I also love more than what I'm doing and more than virtually anything other than family, which includes my beautiful Ivanka who's here, I mean I love this country.  I love this country and I hate to see what's happening.  And if I don't see the right person I will do something in '16; I will do it as sure as you're sitting there."
May 28 Ed. note. - In political media shorthand, as seen in a Politico photo caption, this becomes "did not rule out the possibility of a 2016 run for the White House."
The hair is real.
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