Is Donald Trump playing us for suckers?
Donald Trump at last week's Palm Beach County Tax Day Tea Party. Trump is considering a bid for the presidency in Election 2012. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Is Donald Trump playing us?
It's a question Christopher Byron asks in an opinion piece on CNN.com.
If Trump is, it wouldn't be the first time.
Byron wonders if the billionaire real-estate-developer-turned-reality-TV-star is serious about running for president or if he's up to something else. His guess is choice B.
And he may be right. After all, The Donald's flirted with the idea of running for president two times before only to bow out before the race heated up.
This go 'round, he's created a lot of drama around a possible run, using flashy quotes like "Barack Obama has been the worst president ever," latching onto causes like the so-called birther movement and appearing regularly on cable news channels to share his plans for saving the world. He's said he'll announce whether or not he's actually running for president before June, possibly on the finale of his reality show, "Celebrity Apprentice."
See, May is a ratings month in television. The Donald no doubt figures he can spike the ratings for his TV show by announcing his intentions there. He's no dummy.
Trump's possible presidential run is classic Trump. He's perpetually happy to jump in front of a TV camera and spout his opinions. And whether you agree with him or not, you have to hand it to him. He is arguably one of the greatest self-promoters ever.
As Chris Byron's piece points out, Trump has been holding off on renewing his contract with NBC for the "Apprentice" franchise. Driving up his ratings with the possibility of a big announcement like a presidential bid may be his way to get the upper hand in any future contract negotiations.
However it turns out, Byron suggests Trump is taking the country for a ride.
Here’s my question to you: Is Donald Trump playing us for suckers?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Carol in Northampton, Massachusetts:
I believe that he's playing the Republicans and making the wacky right look even wackier. He's creating a caricature that eclipses even Palin and Bachmann, but the Tea Party is buying it. Plus, he loves the spotlight to build his over the top brand. Winning on all fronts.
Rich in Texas:
I don't know that I would ever vote for him, but I do like the fact that he brings up all of the issues we Americans are concerned with: Jobs, Oil Prices, China's overwhelming trade advantages. He is changing what the news is talking about and that is good.
Chuck in Maryland:
Of course not. He's just the only person savvy enough to realize that the answer to climate change is to get the right person to tell it not to.
Tony in Tacoma, Washington:
Jack, the Donald has been playing us for suckers for a long time. Finally, his narcissistic behavior is totally exposed and he will out Trump himself. The real question is will NBC let themselves be suckered, too? I can't wait for May 16th when NBC "fires" the chump!
Bonnie in New Jersey:
I think he isn't being any different than he ever is: loud, brash and arrogant. I hope he runs and splits the Republicans. I am not so thrilled with the Democrats but at least the middle class person might stand a chance with them. The Republicans no longer even try to pretend they care about us.
Tim in Texas:
Not me. I'm boycotting NBC until they pull his program off the air. This country has too much going on right now for this megalomaniac to disrupt the political process and speciously attack the President of the United States, so that his B-list reality show gets higher ratings.
Randy:
No. The media is playing us for suckers. Donald Trump is a circus bear riding a small bicycle with literally a helmet on, and the media is following it as if it was a serious news story. If you put out enough crazies, Jeb Bush won't look so bad. This is the plan.
Amy in New York:
Whether you agree with his politics or not, I do not think America could ever be led by a person who is blind to the total absurdity of what is on top of his head.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Of course. Have you seen interviews from each election year since Perot? Once his show is over for the season, so is Trump (until the next project that needs hyping).
YOU in the media allow this because he is a celebrity. Who else has the kind of money to self-promote?
Maybe we should try George Clooney? Its a circus and Trump is the ringmaster, we keep going through hoops for him. When does it end?
JUne.
No, I don't think so. I think he just believes he can do better than what we've got.....and I think he probably can.
Im torn on Trump. On one hand we need people who understand economics in power. I don't know if Trump has proven his intelligence, but career politicians have to go. On the other hand, I think we may as well elect a lobbyist for president. I mean seriously, this guy IS a special interest group.
Of course he is. Just listen to him – it is all Trump.
Trump knows that won't run. This is free promotion for his ego.
What do you mean, "Us?"
Who knows he is the same as all the people running for office tell every one what they like to hear then take your seat to do nothing for 2 to 6 years. have the press dress up there choice for office and condem the rest.
In today's mass media frenzy it is easy for any person (especially with a recognizable name) to catch the attention of the press.
Are we being played for suckers? Of course! The chances of Donald Trump being an electable Presidential Candidate is beyond any sane persons thinking. Sure he's arrogant, self centered, has an ego the size of a basketball but that doesn't make him qualified to be President of the United States.
I could see him in the role of an advisor to a President, but sitting in the Oval office with his arrogance can only spell trouble for our country and Lord knows we have enough on our plate without adding to the problems by him "telling the world" how to act.
Definitely! You have to be an empty-headed to pay attention to that "joyous fool", playing in people ignorance to advance his own distorted political views.
That's the problem when too much money gets into someone head, he could start thinking that all world will bend down to him every time he barks.
Gus Moke
Probably.
I think he'll run, then some reporter will ask him a tough question or someone will dig up something from his past, and then he'll quit.
I can't see him even holding on until the Republican primary.
I would say so, based upon how he has previously treated his investors and creditors.
Ed
Port Aransas, TX
No, he is just another rich, power hungry destroyer of our country. If elected he can be the only president to be a casino owner and a slum lord.
He plays everyone for a sucker. As long as it helps him market himself and keep his name in the public's eye, he will do it.
jack, I have lived too many years been fooled too many times to say. He is an outside the box conundrum not unlike our current President was.
Of course, Jack. I'm surprised it took you all this long to see it. That's how Trump is. He loves to play people for chumps. Just look at what he claims he did to Gaddafi. And let's not forget his bogus University and that horrible Apprentice show he has. He's just one big game player and you all got played for suckers. It really makes me wince to know it took you all months to find out what I've known for years.
Terrence Cain
Big Spring, TX
According to a recent NBC / Wallstreet Journal poll, he's only playing 17% for suckers. Optimists can hold onto hope for America with a bit less than 83%. I know you have to factor in those who will vote for Mickey Mouse and Daffy Duck as well, but we still have numbers to work with. Keep in mind, Jack, that we have always been working with 49% below average on any given issue.
Albert Einstein said, "We're all ignorant, it's simply a matter of which subjects."
Absolutely! Donald Trump is really good at one thing, branding himself. He is selling a brand and not much else. What's he done? A few high profile real estate ventures and a reality show! Wow! Add that to the fact that he's also filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy 5 times in the last 20 odd years and....well...oh never mind...he'd be perfect for the job!
Tim
West Bloomfield, MI
If he is then that should be no big surprise. The only mystery is where is the cash profit in all of it. That is the only motive he has ever shown.
If he is actually serious, then he is seriously nuts.
Of course he is, Jack. Donald Trump is one of the most successful, albeit high-rolling, hucksters in history. The very fact that he has boosted his star high enough to make this blog says that we've already been suckered in. The only question is "why?" And speculating on that is, (what else?) a sucker's bet.
Yes. Listening to himself talk and accumulating more wealth seem to be the two things that far and away interest Donald Trump the most in life. Running for president would give him almost limitless opportunities to satisfy the first. Being president would prevent him from doing the second, which makes a serious candidacy almost inconceivable.
Yes.His foolishness could destroy all of us If America falls for his little act.
It all depends if you are a sucker or not. This guy is a legend in his own mind. He goes around telling folks how much wealth he has when many Americans are just getting by. He buys a building then claims bankruptcy too keep it and pay a smaller bank rate! You talk about a crook! This guy should be hauled out by that thing he calls his hair and sent too prison! Just another GOP crook!
Obama has been playing us for suckers every day for two years now (three if you count the campaign). Maybe we've lost our ability to tell when politicians are "playing us"! Reid, Pelosi and on and on. It never ends!
Jack,
Since Trump so far has changed the subject when confronted with factual questions,changed his stand on abortion due to one of his pal's personal experiences(which obviously are the only people which would matter to him),and is obsessively pursuing the birther issue,it's not hard to see what his policies would be regarding the majority of Americans.Sucker,no.Concerned,a little.Knowing that he would never win,priceless. Greg M. Largo,FL
No he's actually perfect for the Republican ticket.
1. He's totally self absorbed and convinced of his superiority to humanity
2. He's cheated on his wife but loves God
3. Has filed for bankrupted buisness enterprises on several occasions.
4. Is elitist enough to refer to African Americans as "The Blacks".
So he's totally perfect. He's convinced that he's a "producer" in the Ayn Rand view of the world despite having his options handed to him by his wealthy father. He says he's Christian but does everything unChristian in this world like cheating on his wife. Is rich enough to destroy his net worth only to find illegal ways of getting his worth back, and socially is stuck in the last century.
It's no wonder he's on the top of Republican polling right now.
No Jack, that was done by the present occupant of the Oval Office.
I don't know and I am no fan of Trump.
I remember a lot of elections all the way back to Truman's; and with the vast majority of them America could have had and should have had a much better President. Doctors, lawyers, and engineers have to be approved by a board as well as additional training before they can practice their profession.
Why shouldn't America have something similar to help eliminate the ineffective and incompetent?
Trump is playing the media that is running all the news reports on him for suckers, but not the public. The latest polls I have seen show him losing head-to-head matchups with Obama by double digits, so it appears the public can see through his used car salesman pitch more than the media that is running wall-to-wall coverage of him
Yes, anyone whose name is an anagram of "damp old runt" is probably playing people for suckers.
No way ,no how, he is becoming a politician. A politician would say it time to get tough with China ,a honest stand up man would say stop shopping at wal mart. A politician would say the teacher union is to powerful ,a honest stand man would say read to your children. A politician would say gas prices are way to high,a honest man would say drive a compack car not a suv.A politician would we have to use all the tools in the tool box [ what ever that means ] to stop Iran from getting Nuks,a honest man would would say big oil and the Jewish lobby control our middle east policy.God bless Mr Trump he is what the American people want .
This question is actually quite hillarious.
Shouldn't the REAL question be......... "Is Barrack Obama playing us for Suckers" ???
Think about it.
I'm starting to wonder if he's playing up how extreme the Republicans have become. Either that or he's lost his mind.
Of course he is. He thinks the mose important issue to Americans is the birth place of a president that's been in office for more than 2 years. At least Sarah had some views on current events.
Peter
Aldergrove B.C.
Canada
of course he is jack. and the scary thing is that there are a lot of suckers out there stupid enough to vote for him. he won't change anything and he would do nothing but embarrass this country even more than the usual republicans do on a daily basis.
Is Donald Trump playing us for suckers?
Of course he is Jack and Americans are falling for it hook, line and sinker.
Jenna
Roseville CA
tampa, fl if he is, well played, he's got my vote. as if all the other candidates were going to turn over a new leaf and actually work for me, sorry but you all can go grab an i'll work for food sign and start saving up to pay for the drug tests if you want welfare.
Trump isn't playing me for a sucker, I've got his number. He's a serial divorcee, a serial corporate bankruptcy filer, a serial narcissist, and the best candidate the Republicans have. Sad, isn't it Jack?
He just might be playing us all for suckers. He may just be trying to show if you got the money you can buy the office and he has the money. Would it not be something if he goes through to the Republican convention and gets the top spot only to tell all a Trumpism mesage as to what is wrong with our system and walks off leaving them high and dry.
They all play us for suckers.Donald Trump is far from unique in that area.
Maybe he's high on all the hairspray it takes to hold that situation in place on top of his head. I find him very entertaining, but it's disturbing that so many Americans are taking him seriously!
Hi Jack –
Whether he is playing us for a sucker or not isn't the issue ... he is just an open communicator.
I think he, at worst, can only rise to the level of our current government ... they all are playing the citizens as suckers.
Jack,
I visit Atlantic City and have frequented the Trump casinos. However, when he started this rascist birther drivel, I cut up and threw away my Trump card and will never go to any of his casinos or hotels again. If enough of us do that, the only sucker will continue to be Mr. Trump.
Yes he is. I am not entirely certain who is sucking whom here. DT is flirting with the good & bad publicity he likes & seeks. He is finding out soon enough out that Presidential election is entirely a different ball game to Apprentice. Gone past the days when he was able look good with with prepared answers & now he has to give real answers to real questions. Mr Trump you are fired.
The only thing more pathetic than the phony Trump campaign aspirations is the so-called "news" media giving him millions of dollars in free marketing. Why does the news media do this for every vapid windbag and blabbermouth that gets in front of a camera?
Jack, the reason that Trump is so popular now is what I call 'The Jesse Ventura Effect". They don't like any of the others & "he" won't get elected anyway. Trump is the human answer to 'none of the above' !
David, Las vegas
We will find out soon enough. If you don't plan on voting for that piece of trash ,then whether he decides to run or not should not matter!
Dee
Houston, TX
Don't think so Jack. He is nervous about the long term economy in the USA. So are 70% of Americans who say American is on the Wrong Track.
Will he follow thru if Christie (who has backbone), or Daniels runs....maybe not then.
We are going to hell in a handbag due to a teenager as President.
Joan G
Wi
Donald Trump is definitely playing us for suckers, and is sucking up to Sarah Palin, Michelle Backmann and Glenn Beck. AND maybe trying to get endorsements from Charlie Sheen and Mel Gibson
I think Trump is only doing research for his next reality TV show.
It will be called "Are You Smarter Than a Candidate" and will pit potential candidates against Fifth Graders. Questions will be about irrelevant issues and answers will be graded on style rather than fact.
Winners (provided they can beat a fifth grader) will get a case of bumper stickers, a campaign contribution, and a coupon for a free haircut.
Does anyone REALLY think he'd run? We all know Republicans demand to be Emperors, answerable to no one but Donald prefers to be a dictator.
I think he is being a distraction, for what I'm not sure. He wouldn't be stupid enough to run for President.
I think so Jack. Trump is a media junky. He craves attention and could not exist without it. He says things that are controversial to stay in the spotlight and the media hangs on his every word. He will do an exploratory poll for a few hundred thousand dollars to see if he might be able to get enough votes if he were to run but in the end he knows he doesn't stand a snowballs chance in hell of winning the presidency. Meanwhile the man makes another fortune off of the appearances he makes which will earn him 10 times more then he spends on an investigative committee. In the words of PT Barnum.... " There is a sucker born every minute".
Like PT Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute". At that rate Trump will have a following.
IF he were elected president. I'd be worried he would find a way to declare himself King or Ruler, turn into another dictator we'd be stuck with him!
Jack, he is certainly using the media, and he is becoming more
intolerable every day. He seems so desperate to have people
tell him how great he is, but they don't have a chance because he
is too busy telling us himself. Nervous breakdown coming?
I don't know, but what he is doing is very strange. Maybe he just
needs to get out of the house, If this is his normal
behavior, I couldn't be around him for five minutes, regardless of
how rich he is..
The Donald is only doing what every other politician does, and playing us for suckers is putting it in the nicest possible language. He knows the vast majority of the general public is easily influenced by professional scam artists such as politicians and media whores. The fact that this man has any traction at all in the republican party is a testament to how truly low the standards are in this country if you want to run for public office.
I think Donold Trump will be a wonderful change, a smell of fresh air.
to be president of the United States. People should stop talking bad about him. He's a good business man and knows how to get things done. We certainly need a man like him to bring this county back to normal again. He knows how to do it, too. Just give him a chance and you'll see.
Dottie
Florida
Jack,the Trumpster may be playing us for suckers,but not nearly to the the tune that President Obama has!
It's hard to tell right now if Trump is serious about the Presidency because he's known for PR stunts and other attention seeking antics.
His comment about us taking over the oil fields in Iraq due to our shortage is simply outrageous and stupid. I suppose that would validate the claim that "we invaded Iraq to get their oil" wouldn't it? Nothing I can think of would outrage the Arab world more and make us less safe. I hope he withdraws now.
Well, if he does decide to formally run it must mean that - behind the scenes - he is an Obama fan. Nobody as smart as him (he does think he is the smartest person ever!!) could possibly think Donald Trump could win!!
Trump is definitely playing us for suckers. I think he needs his TV show to have high ratings so he can demand more money. He depends on the show for a large part of his income. He will not expose his financial situation. What the news media are starting to find out is he is not as rich as he claims to be. He has over 30 lawsuits against him. His casino went bankrupt three times. He is too thin skin to run for president. The statements he makes are only to get attention and more news interviews, so his show will get higher ratings. The republican party needs to get rid of this guy. He is making them look bad by leading in the polls.
Obama and Trump are both organizers who keep their options open until the last minute. Maybe both are playing us for suckers; maybe not - its just the way they go about making decisions. Both think a lot of themselves; both are powerful; both made over a million dollars last year; both have interesting hair. Only one plays b-ball.
every business person uses every opportunity he has to market his product .that is exactly what trump is doing using all the free time the media is giving him to promote his reality tv show . Its a shame you guys fell for it.
Trump has the right to run for office just like anyone else, and he won't need political bribes from corporations to run his campaign. The media keeps calling Trump a clown even though he is a succesful businessman who graduated from the wharton school of business. Obama and congress are the clowns who can't balance a budget, won't defund two worthless wars, won't take on the unfair trade practices by china, won't break up the big banks, and won't stop derivatives gambling
on wall street. Obama keeps telling us one thing and then does just the opposite and calls it a bipartisan negotiation. Trump is a excellent negotiator and would not allow china to take away all the good jobs from this country like obama has been doing.
Donald Trump is a huckster from the word go. Does anyone really want someone as President who has repeatedly made use of the bankruptcy laws to line his pockets? Trump is a clown, but then he would be following a line of them of late and the American public seem to be marks for every huckster that comes along.
Only if you let him. I`m smart enough to spot a professional "con artist" and trump is the best one. I`m advising everyone to buy a very large shovel and a large dumpster to do away with the crap he keeps spreading around.He and palin and their crybaby, "titty bottle" tea party gang better start growing up and act like adults instead of spoiled brats.We need intelligent, compassionate, knowledgable people to run foroffice of president and that is something that their money will never be able to buy them PATHETIC
Oh come on Jack...Obama played the activists for fools. Trump needs to stick to trade policy violations to keep this country from being played by the sellouts who bought in to the china economy while crippling our forever job creations of advanced jobs , not more fossil fuel ,toxic jobs..
"Is Donald Trump playing us for suckers", Jack?
only for the last 30 odd years. they guy is the re-incarnation of P T Barnum. all carnival barker with NO real ideas. his "I will rein in the ChiComs and bring jobs back to America" is BALONEY. too many of his billionaire buddies making to much MONEY outsourcing jobs.
oh, and as a "businessman" he's WAY overrated. he went BROKE running CASINOS in Atlantic City. was SO bad he couldn't get licensed in the State of Nevada. I live in Las Vegas and you gotta be PRETTY BAD to LOSE MONEY operating CASINOS.
I believe that he's playing the Repubs and making the wacky right look even wackier. He's creating a caricature that eclipses even Palin and Bachmann, but the TeaBags are buying it. Plus he loves the spotlight to build his over the top brand. Winning on all fronts.
Carol in Northampton, Mass
Of course, that is what he does best. Easy sincewe are suckers of often. However, he is making a mistake by embracing the Tea Party crazy ideas. Unfortunate, beacuse we could really use a true independent.
How can "Trust Fund" Donny, be suckering us? He's only filed Bankruptcy three times. Never lost a property, actually got to save his properties at a reduced rate, thanks to the, BK's! Nothing fraudulent about that!, wink-wink! Which in turn, was backed by the U.S Taxpayer at our very own expense, sweet!. If he gets to be president and he runs this country, just like his life w/all the BK'S, marriages, divorces and all of his, "Deals"! I'm going to buy every piece of property I can find. And I'm going to be another Donald, a complete fraud!!
Donald Trump is doing what he knows best, to make Dinald look the big guy. To make him self look like a presdent will never happen.
Max Cooper
Cass City Mi.
I think he isn't being any different than he ever is, loud, brash and arrogant. I hope he runs and splits the republicans, I am not so thrilled with the democrats but at least the middle class person might stand a chance with them. The republicans no longer even try to pretend they care about us.
Jack,
The Donald has been playing us for sucker's for a long time! Finally, his narcissitic behaviour is totally exposed and he will out Trump himself. The real question is will NBC let themselves be suckered, too! I can't wait for May 16th when NBC "FIRES" the chump!
Tony
Tacoma,WA
No, Jack, Trump is either the Democratic Party's secret weapon, or,
the candidate of the Hair-Stylists' Party– Spray, Jack, Spray, just imagine
what you could look like! The Donald is our best defense against Alien Attack!
You betcha! And I can’t believe all of you in the media (and the tea party fools) are falling for it. Think of the advertising revenue you would have if you made him pay for all the free publicity you are giving him. And think of how many millions you lost by doing the same for Palin.
Yes and no. On one hand, it wouldn't surprise me that he's considering running for president. On the other hand, I don't buy for a minute that he believes this birther nonsense. He knows it gets him attention, and the more attention he gets, the stronger he is as a contender-or at least in his own mind. Let him run-he'll see that all the momentum he's getting at the moment disappear.
if he is he has a long way to go to catch up with obama
Only if we fall for it Jack. It has to be a joke because he is a joke. Who in their right mind, considering running for the presidency would allow themselves to be 'Roasted'? That was disgusting. If the American people were to vote Trump in to the White House~it will be the end of the middle class........His focus is on the rich only.
I don't know that I would ever vote for him, but, I do like the fact that he brings up all of the issues we Americans are concerned with, Jobs, Oil Prices, China's overwhelming trade advantages. He is changing what the news is talking about and that is good.
Of course not. He's just the only person savvy enough to realize that the answer to climate change is to get the right person to tell it not to.
Jack, do you really need to ask? Just watch the man's mouth as he speaks and wyou will get your answer(s).
Jack,
Of course the Donald has suckered us for a long time. Finally, his narcissitic behaviour is exposed. He is extreme so rigidly committed to his ideological crusade that he feels justified in vandalizing reason and sacrficing his integrity to further his cause! The end justifies any means. I only hope that on May 16th that NBC will have the integrity to "FIRE" the Trump's show!
Tony
Tacoma, WA
I don't know about that. But the media does glom on to something no mattter how rediculous it may appear. if Trump did have trouble gaining any real traction the media would be free PR . But Jack, when "conservatives" like Charles Krauthammer and George Will consider this guy a Clown Act it's just a matter of time. He'll go away just like Perot did, only qucker in my view.
What do you think.? The guy is not an idiot he has a business of his own and is it a coincidence that he has a tv show on right now. Even if you are unwilling to believe that he is doing this for ratings this is the same guy who praised Pres. Obama last year saying he was doing a great job. Plus other than that can anyone tell me what his plan is to reduce the deficite.. no. What about Iraq and Afghanistan where does he stand... no. What about Israel..no. He doesn't like China so how does he plan on competing with China ...(crickets). Nothing
Basically he is babbling nonsense about Obama's birth certificate because he knows it will garner attention. and the fact that he is doing this speaks volumes about his opinion about the office of the president. Anyone who is actually thinking of voting for him needs their head examined.
He's a self-absorbed ego maniac that has the political savy of a salamander. He's a classic example of being as outrageous as possible for free press. The fact that he's leading in Repubican polls is what you scare the hell out of you. Not because he might be President one day but because that's how DIVORCED from reality some of these people are now.
yes – even if does run- his ego is as big as his wallet– he loves the
stage – he tends to brag about his abilities with his ventures-
simply stated hes a blowhard- he will make a good politition
someday –
He sure is and doing a great job using the media for free Trump advertising. One thing the Donald won't reveal is his financial information. The other is that he is really BALD.
He's definitely taking anyone stupid enough to climb aboard for a ride that's going nowhere. Jack, just look at his photo. Does anyone take this man seriously? He can't comb his own hair, let alone run a country. And he's a crook - just like every other billionaire. Can't you just see him raising taxes on himself and his friends?
Jack,
Trump has "flip-flopped" on so many issues to serve the Right maniac wing that he ... is symbolically no better than the "fluff" in his hair. Perhaps he will be "loony" enough to believe his own delusions, but when we see the reality from his comments and not so background we find a man who has been sued many times, makes false statements merely to incite more attention, and then is not willing to reveal his real net worth and business dealings.
Joe, Binghamton, NY
The GOP lacks a true competitor and they have the nerve to pick Donald Trump????????? My country is the queen of comedy!
Yes, I think he is playing everyone for a fool and you know what else? I think he loves it. I do not think he has any intention of running for President but he loves all the attention and loves the ratings to his reality show. I watched the interview with him on CNN and some of the things he said I agreed with and some I found appauling. Who knows? If he does run for President I think he will get a lot of support.
YES! And there are millions of suckers out there. Where are all the reporters when it comes to his failed businesses?
Someone who is talking like a politician playing us all for suckers? You betcha Jack!
He is playing himself the sucker game, because this guy is broke
Donald Trump is tearing into President Obama like a Lion but he has no experience that puts him in a position to run for President. If he did run he would play the nation like a puppet and would destroy this country with his bullying personality.
No more so than anybody else in Washington these days Jack. It's all just showmanship. The one thing he's got going for him is a record of knowing how to make money and right now, that's what America desperately needs. We are in the financial toilet and there isn't a politician now in office who has a clue how to get us out. Trump is throwing us a rope.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
Jack, I'm not sure I would vote for The Donald but he would make a he'll of a Sect. Of Commerce. Let him deal with the exports/imports and getting business back on track.
Everyone convinced by Trump is fooled. This guy comes in like PT Barnum doing magic tricks, and you're all dazzled. Trump is always "might" "consider" or "thinking about" or "seriously considering" a presidential run. In 2008 he supported Clinton, universal health care, pro-choice, and tax hikes. Now he's pretending to be a Republican. Don't you silly conservatives even CARE that he was a big time Liberal, and that he's only PRETENDING to be a Republican now? You guys are morons for falling for this.
The only true conservative is Mitt Romney.
Trump is not playing us for fools. He is playing you, the mainstream media, for fools, because it is you who dissociates his flashy quotes from the reality of his underqualifications.
Did anyone tell him that we WILL NOT call America The United States of Trump?
This Time I Really Think That He Will Run For President! He's Very Discouraged About The Path That The Obama Administration Has Taken And He's Very Passionate About The Love He Has For The Country. I Don't Know His Political Beliefs Or What He Stands For As Of Yet But You Have To Admit If Your A True Follower Of Politics That He Knows What He's Talking About. I Honestly Hope He Runs Cuz His Campaign Would Bring A Rebirth To The Republican Party.
Scott Stodden (Freeport,Illinois)
Sure he is , but no more than any other poltician does. I would go on to say that our current president is way worse about playing us than Trump ever thought about being.
I hope so.
I would not cry if Trump managed to pull 4% or 5% of the vote, and throw the election to Obama... just like good ol' Ralph Nader and the Green Party did for Dubya in 2000.
Yes. He is playing to the far right crowd in the exact same manner as most Republicans – get them all lathered up with lies; they'll believe anything; don't let the facts get in the way of a great catch-phrase. I don't think for a minute that he is serious though; he's made too many unexplainable gaffs already, i.e., the birther non-sense, flip-flopping on abortion, supporting Hilary Clinton in 2008, supporting universal health care, his plan to tax all Chinese imports at 25%, bragging about ripping off Gadaffi, etc., etc., etc. Wish he would just go away! He plays to the lowest common denominator only.
Evelyn
I think trump is a democratic plant who is just making fun of the people who actually believe he would be a good president and he knows it. It's quite amusing to watch.
I don't think the general public is fooled by him. The media, including CNN sure seems to be, boy, you cannot buy publicity like that! Even if you're Donald Trump.
Let me get this straight. Trump says he wants to take the jobs back from China and give them back to Americans, and make America's economy strong again, and everyone says he's an idiot. What am I missing? Could you folks actually do any worse than what you have now?
It's what he does. He overinflates the value of his own importance, the desirability of his properties, the "greatness" of his so-called accomplishments and then he sells them to suckers. That's the central theme in his life.
He's a scammer – all you need to get into politics.
Is that even in doubt? He is a self-promoter second only to PT Barnum!!! This is about ratings not about running. The fool couldn't win – being a businessman does not equal understanding economics. You can actually have a successful (although going bankrupt a couple times??) without understanding economics – especially on a world-wide scale. Those who think he's amazing because he's rich really ought to remember the bankruptcies.
What else does a Narcissist do but play everyone for a sucker? If this shell of a man is actually serious in his mind that he is presidential material, he needs a psych evail asap. We do not need another man or woman in the White House who has no understanding of the middle and lower working class. I realize that to be president of this country requires that the candidate with the most money to spend will be the president. However, up till now, we have at least had candidates with some moral compasses and love something or someone other than themselves. Trump is a sad excuse for a an let alone a president. Yet, look at our Congress. He might just fit right in.
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
I agree with Jeff -- Trump is a legend in his own mind. The phrase was made for him.
He just wants to be King. He wouldn't have a clue as to what to do as President. He is the Paris Hilton of politics.
He isn't going to run. First of all...he would have to open up his books then everyone would see how rich he isn't! Second, not in this or any other lifetime will he get the nomination, which is something that he knows. It is all about publicity and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to up their medication!
That is not a question, that is a statement. He IS playing us. Well, those of us who don't see it, that is.
they all play us that is what politicians do.
Before Donald Trump's name appears on any ballot, we should demand positive proof that he is an earthling. He certainly doesn't think or speak and clearly doesn't look like one. Sure. Call me an "earther."
My favorite joke campaign slogan for Trump's supposed presidential bid, from radio show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me": "Make this angry, little face America's angry, little face."
Can't stand the sight of him.
Jack... If Trump is such an all-fired up American who can save America, why is his current and ex-wives foreign? What is he saying about American women?
Trump is a cut throat business man.. Can you imagine the position he would be in if he were to become president? The sweet deals this clown could make?
Anyone that takes him seriously is out of their minds.
Of course he is - there is no way that he will come clean on ALL of his finanices. That is why he said he would if the President would show his birth certificate!!!!!!!!! Knowing that his lies about the certificate are just that and therefore he will not have to provide anything about the truth of his money world!! So gues what HE WILL NOT RUN.
Of course the Donald is playing us. The really sad part is folks have yet to figure this out. If this is the best the GOP has to offer, look for 4 more years, and some reality freak show TV thing to be forthcoming.
Mr. Trump, as a successful businessman you of all people should know that talking yourself up doesn't cut it in the boardroom. It's not enough to show us what you have done. Show us a detailed proposal for what you plan to do, and we'll decide if we want to hire you. This is the most important interview of your life.
There are heroes and there are celebrities’. This celebrity is only drawing attention.
Of course, he's spent a lifetime here in Atlantic City and elsewhere playing people for suckers. He is well known for this.
He's suckered his creditors by threatening or declaring bankruptsy on businesses (like casinos) that always win money. He's suckering in the media and sheep-like republican followers right now.
I believe he is a Democrat plant. With him spewing all the birther issues and his other views on all things, he does not want to be president he is. Just taking all the negative away from Pres. Obama and the dems. For this I applaud him, he is the "sacrifical lamb", but don't feel sorry for him becase is making bank on this also.
On another issue at hand. How about those Wall Street manipulators? Tuesday the market drops because our AAA credit was said to have been in question, Wednesday miracously we recovered, amazing. The rich get richer by manipulation the news, us, and the market.
There was a cartoon a few years ago where Lex Luthor asked Superman, "Do you know how much power I'd have to give up in order to become president?" So I must ask: do you know how much power Donald Trump has to give up to become president? How much privacy? How much income?
No, I don't think so. He is serious about running, else, he wouldn't have made effort to goto Florida to talk to Tea Partyers and spending his time and effort. Folks like Michelle have also not declared that they are running, why only go after Trump???
On a side subject, he is THE ONLY ONE who I'm finding it easy connecting to, in my entire life (not exaggerating). Nobody is straight forward in talking the solutions to the problems we are facing. ALL other candidates are political saying the things they want voters to hear.
When the pockets are hurt, we are eager to blame illegal immigrants and go racially violent with immigrants, but brainless people don't realize that they are barking at wrong tree by voting into people who are "talkative" and "charismatic".
Don't listen to opinion news folks either who are not there to fill-in your pockets but there to just vent out their jealous and hatred feelings.
Think with brains and vote brainful of fearless candidate like Trump. This country IS GOING DOWN RAPIDLY like a rollercoaster car and people have to wake up to voting in right people to play with other countries in a level playing field.
Yes, Jack, he is. And Americans are falling for it. Just look at his ratings. He's not running for president - he's just hyping his show and, of course, his ego.
Joe in Delray Beach, Florida
If he does maybe he would fire Congress...
Donald Trump is on a huge ego trip. As President he would be a total disaster. His only relevent experience is stiffing his debtors and going bankrupt. Just what we need, right. I must admit I tend to like the man but I would never vote for him for any public office.
They all play us for suckers the Democrats and Republicans. He is just a man with a name that everyone knows. All these people are rich and do not care about poor or middle class people. It is all a game to both parties especially Trump.
Is there a politician out there that doesn't play us for suckers?
No, I do not think he's playing us....I think he'd truly like to be President. I'll give it to him, I'm a little sick of China and OPEC too! But, I don't want a hot head like Trump to know the code.....geezzz.
You mean is Donald playing his "trump" card again? I would say yes, most certainly yes!
Why is it wrong for politicians to be called out personally like the President did to Mr. Ryan? Mr Boehner and Mr Mc Connell do often to the President. For some reason they feel they should be put on a pillar and apllauded. For what? They get paid have the best benefit OUR money can buy them, we owe them nothing, they owe us, Both parties.
Of course, with the media being the biggest suckers of all. But think of it, he makes a wonderful politician. He lies, overestimates his financial and personal worth and achievements, has failed miserably at marital bliss, and uses hot buttons to get more media attention. Shame on the great American media. Eve of Texas
Let's see – he is going to make an announcement on his lame reality show's season finale... OF COURSE HE IS!!!! My dog, if I knew getting paid to be a 'journalist' was going to be this easy, I would have kept pursuing it out of college.
Mr. Trump is not serious about running for President of the United States of America. His choice of topics is enough proof of it. All he wants is to get attention to boost his ego, as a matter of fact, all you need to look when considering a candidate for President of this great country is how far apart their proposals are from building a system focused on the well being of the majority of the people. The reality is that Mr. Trump only cares for those around him, the 2% of the population who can make more money for his enterprise. I have not and will not consider Mr. Trump a qualified and serious contender to be President of our great nation.
Only if you're paying attention to him and, since he's obviously not taking his so-called run seriously, I have not been.
Of course he is playing, especially the media. If you would stop covering his every stupid move, he would be forced to pay for the advertising of his reality show that he is now getting free!!!
I wonder when he'll go bankrupt the next time. He plays EVERYTHING as being a sucker to him. What a joke!!!!!
Of course the DONALD is playing us, he is the biggest PIMP since ICEBERG SLIM.
I think he started out playing us and wanting publicity for his show. But, when he was laughed at and not taken seriously, it became personal. So now the originator of "Too Big To Fail" will try to be President!
He very well be trying to drum up ratings, which may work in the short term. But in the long term, he's alienating a large portion of his audience with his idiotic antics.
Same clown he's always been. More in love with himself than words can describe. He should go take a long flying honeymoon with himself.!
Maybe he is playing you, the media who keeps on feeding his ego, but he isn't playing 'us'. Stop giving him free advertising.
Of course! Donald Trump is a PIMP! He is pimping out the media for his own personal gain. Whoever thinks that a self-centered person like Donald Trump is going to run for President needs to get pimped slapped! Where is the powder Jack?
All of you who believe that Trump would be a good president because of his relationship with money...both losing it and making it, seem to forget that being a real national leader is also about negotiating the really tough issues of aging, healthcare, the poor, crime, infrastructure, education, childcare, and handling the changing demographics of our more than a third of a billion people. Trump is a wealthy egomaniac with an insatiable need to make more and more money. Trump is a shrewd money man...not a wise and compassionate man, and certainly not a man of the people.
Mr. Trump is good at what he does, and that is BUSINESS, and to be in business you need not to walk a straight line. Most of his latest accomplishments are not based just on honest deals, so if you ask me is he playing us? Yes, he is and he guarantee he is laughing his ass off all the way to the bank. I would not VOTE for him, not even if bribes me.
No disrespect to Mr. Trump as he is one of the most colorful characters on the New York scene, but does anyone seriously think he could be elected President of the United States. From his failed Atlantic City Casinos to his public spats with Rosie O'Donnell, his closet is filled with a treasure trove of gaffes and missteps. He is a fantastic businessman who has the drive and determination to conquer the business world, but the political arena requires some talents that cannot be learned on the "Apprentice".
He is not playing us for suckers – he knows we are suckers. Look at all the air time he is getting. He knows that it is the best free advertising he can get for his brand. It is all about money for him. He will never run for anything but a better camera angle.
He can play it either way. If he is doing real well he might stay in. If not, he gets publicity, which he craves.
Do you really think Trump is going to go to Iowa and shake the hands of each Iowan as he stated? No way he will run.
Oh please!!!!!!!!! That is his gig! He loves being the puppet master and now he has the perfect national stage – psuedo running for Presidet of the United States.
Donald Trump is brilliant. He is quite the showman. But, he is all
talk. He is one of those people that loves to hear his own voice. I think
he feels superior to other candidates because noone can buy him (except NBC). He is little else but interesting.
Jack,
Trump is a great business man but does not have political savy to engage in day to day subjects on the world stage to make this country a better place. His stern approach to issues would destroy us. He is getting free publicity with the tabloids and television to voice his oppinions. The Trump card will not appear on the ballots due to loss of his revenue and he is "Lost in the Sauce"... Where is Ross Perot??
Postal Joe, Rock Hill New York
Who want the job as President? It is a thankless, constantly demeaning, never pleasing job. I am sure All our Presidents have visions of doing something special for the American people, but along the way being constantly ridiculed, rebutted, always appealing just to 1/2 of our people, give them credit for just trying. They give up all their personal life two years prior and a lifetime afterwards.
Donald Trump has a great life, he is self serving, self-righteous, opininated. Wow he would qualify has a politician. Not our President.
Donald Trump uses the media for his own purposes. Nothing has changed. He just love publicity.
His business turned around and he seemed to weather the recession. So what did he do to help others during the recession?
His Apprentice Shows are now pulling names from the front pages. He believes this will improve his ratings.
I personally hope he does not run. He just does not seem to be presidential materials. He does not work well with others.
Not "US" – He is playing the uninformed, politically ignorant that do not know our laws and how we are governed.
Anyone that has a passport knows you need a Certificate of Live Birth to get one. His views o staring down the Libyans for their oil is something of bar bully folklore.
He is runner the Barum Campaign for 2012.
The Donald can only play you if you play along and can only take you for a ride if you get in the Trumpmobile!
It's a win-win for Trump. If he doesn't make it far, he still gets plenty of free publicity from CNN and other news organizations, if he wins, he's the president. It's the same as his take on pres. Obama's birth status. It's a dead issue, and yet stirring it back up wins him some support from the radical far-right.
Yes, The Donald much like most politicians is trying to con people (and potential votes) into believing his ideas. And sadly some people are supporting him. Truly sad state of affairs in politics these days.
Its sort of embarrassing to see the place he got on the Republican Leader Board just by playing to the Birthers. If I were a Republican, I would think twice about admitting it in educated company. No, of course he is not running – a puffed up little man, with 3 bankruptcies, 3 wives and a faltering casino empire – and very little respect from even his peers – it is the coitus interruptus of campaigns – a publicity campaign.
Transparency - yes, I see right through him and he is not running. At least he is better than Palin and Newt who have "begging for dollars" websites knowing fool well they have no intentions of running. They have just found a way to earn money without working for it - and the fools keep sending them money.
If Trump's show is not renewed - he will do the same as Palin and Newt!
I think it depends on who the "us" is. Everything he has said has been used as in a reverse psychological kind of way, wherein, he uses all of the talking point's that the far right has latched on to, stokes that fire at the most opportune of times, and Obama wins. When he said that we should take Iraq's oil, and what are we doing in Libya, you had to know his position was exactly opposite what his claims where! Other than the right, Who else would only send our boys to kill and be killed for oil or monetary reasons? The left wants to help the people, not help themselves to other people's wealth! Trump is playing the RIGHT. And it's very obvious.
Donald Trump is trying to play us all for suckers. He goes on TV and talks about how he got his money, and he could do the same thing for the country. Really? He's certainly no warren buffet. He's a LOSER in so many ways – bullying seems to be his biggest asset(?) If there isn't something in it for "the Donald," he won't be a part of it. Did you see him with George S. on GMA yesterday. What a bully!! George should have said 'ENOUGH," and then walked out of the interview. I had always voted Republican up to the last election. I probably would have voted for John McCain, but I couldn't see SP becoming President if anything happened to McCain. I voted for Obama, and was thrilled when he won. It made history, and I was so proud of our country. Vote for Trump? History would certainly be made again, but it wouldn't be a mark on the plus side. We would become the laughing stock of the WORLD.
If you don't think Trump is playing you for suckers, then how in heck do you make a decision to go to war or any other so-called major decision??
In a word.....YES. He is a rude, crude and is the ultra egoist...nuff said.
Donald is a Media hog. His narcissism precedes anything else
Come on Jack, The Donald for Pres.?
Has he played us for suckers before????
Is The Donald the best Republicans can offer up?
He likely started out doing so, however, he could quite likely get the Republican nomination so I think he will continue. Of course he will be pummeled in a general election with his Miss. Universe activity (not a role model for young girls), multiple bankruptcies, doing business with terrorists, etc. Question is if he doesn't get the GOP nomination will he run as an independent and split the republican vote, causing a landside victoria for Obama the likes of which has never been seen.
Not US... just the birthers and got his own ego trip. He knows better and the birthers don't.
The Donald is addicted to fame. He likes attention, infact he loves attention. The Donald loves Trump.
If he is, we can't recognize it. The current administration has already shown us that we are "easy prey" and a majority will believe anything they promise (like hope and change). Since this administration came into power (and it is power) things have skyrocketed in cost. Gasoline has doubled – and we still can't drill, but we can pay Soros' Brazilian company a ton of money borrowed from the Chinese so they can drill and sell it to us (but I guess that's Bush's fault). Trump could be playing us for suckers, but as bad as this adminstration has proven its self to be – I would be willing to give him a shot.
Just say Lippy -the Lion's sidekick's name, Jack (Hardee-Har-Har!!)
Donald Trumph is sounding a lot like Palin. Like Palin, I wish he would just go away. We need people who are truly concerned with moving our country in the right direction, not another idiot who likes to be in the spot light.
Jeez... you think? I actually met him about 10 years ago. He struck me as an incredibly unhappy soul. Reminds me of Gore being pushed by his father to run for President. Donald is from the same cut of fabric.
Obama is chomping at the bit that he's not just playing us but is serious about running for president!!! He'd chalk up voters for Obama faster than any speech about "change"...
Remember the alternate Bizarro universe in the Superman comics? In a jerk universe, Donald Trump could become President of the United States.
"TRUMP" doesn't have to play us for suckers. It comes natural for Americans to be suckers to Fruit Cakes. Example...Palin, Trump, Cain, McCain, Beck, BUSH and others.
No, he's not playing "us" for suckers, he's playing the media, and boy oh boy....
Sure he is! I am reminded of it every time I see his Bermuda registered corporate jet surely to avoid paying taxes to the country he is trying to lead!
Trump is a conman, I hope he is running it will make it that much harder for the Texipublicans to elect someone. Run Donald Run.
Yes, Jack! As did George W. Bush...
Yes, Donald Trump is playing all of us. But the media is totally responsible to giving him all the air time. Just like the ridiculous time that the media gave to Charlie Sheen a few weeks ago. But this is really his way of getting the attention that he craves.
I stopped watching the Apprentice when Joan Rivers won when she was clearly not the winner. But my friend said to me "Do you think that Joan Rivers would go on the Apprentice to allow The Donald to tell her –
Your fired?????
He is Jack. But the only ones buying into it have a brain the size of a tea bag if you catch my drift. 😉
P. T. Barnam once said there is a sucker born every minute. Enough
said.
Money does not make a person a winner. Donald Trump has "loser" written all over him.
I think they are all playing us for SUCKERS!
The Donald is in the business of playing others for suckers. Real estate suckers, gambling suckers, "reality" tv suckers – you name it. I know what he's doing and for those not bright enough to know, then shame on them.
Some of us are LISTENING. We stop and he has no audience. As far as his sho goes NBC has already said he cannot make an announcement on their time.
Money isn't everything, but Trump thinks it is! Why do people automatically think a man is smart, if he's rich? He takes chances, that's all. He has plenty of money to back up his losses. Trump gets tongue tied if he's asked about other matters a president faces. The economy may be important but there are many other issues on a president's plate. I don't want him sticking his pompous chin out to our allies. He's an egomaniac!
I had it in mind to vote for him until two day ago when he was interveiwed by Candy Curley. That interveiw blew it. He sound like Sarah Palin to me, Lack of intelegence.
I believe Donald Trump has good intentions this time. Previous presidents have never drove this country into a hole as far as Mr. Obama has. IF Trump has good intentions this time we all will be in luck. This country needs a businessman for a leader. Maybe then, we wont be in so much financial trouble as we are now.
Mike H
Maryland
No more than Sara Palin.. except that he is smart. Trump makes a lot of sense when he discusses China. Palin should stay home drinking coffee out of china.
Of course he is playing us for suckers, he is just like you said= trying to boost his ratings for his reality show. If he wants to boost ratings even more he should go to the " Hair Club For Men " and get a hair piece. The top of his head looks like a dead rodent. You can only do the comb over for so long.
Playing us like a down home fiddle!
The media hog has been getting free publicity talking about what?
If the president was born here as opposed to talking about what most Americans are concerned with, jobs, the economy.
And why, because this so called captain of industry has no real answers to the issues that are important.
But man can he play that fiddle
Of course The Donald is playing America as suckers; but what's new, politicians play America as suckers daily. The real problem is that so many Americans believe them.
I sincerely hope so. If Trump is the best this country has to offer we are in serious trouble. He likes to be the center of attention and he has found a way to get maximum hype and publicity. And we keep pandering to him. AAAHHHH!!!! Canada is beginning to look very good to me.
Our biggest problem in this country is electing persons to public office
that haven't the slightest idea about tough business negotiation procedures.We most definitely need Donald Trump's proven ability to make tough decisions and hold financial adversaries' feet to the fire.
I believe he will be nominated and eventually elected.
All of the other potential candidates are government men, not business men!
Henri D. Kahn
Laredo, Texas
I get a laugh out of people who think Donald Trump is "not serious"... He's one of the most serious people on this planet. Donald Trump plays to win. The question is: What is the game?
Donald Trump-It's really amazing that a man who's had 3 wives, owns gambling casinos, and has had 4 bankruptcies is now the darling of the "values voters" and the "fiscal conservatives". Trump is punking the conservatives. All it takes is a few bizarre conspiracy theories and they're eating out of his hand.
From up here in Manitoba, Canada. Trump is a Chump. Short, but sweet.
Donald is interested in one thing. Himself. He won't do anything for anyone's benefit unless it helps him first. If all he's worried about is Obama's birth certificate, he's clueless as to what the real problems are in the U.S.
YES! Do you seriously think Trump and his organization could go through the financial scrutiny needed to be a serious contender. All he is doing is trying to up the ratings for his very sad "reality" show. He's unbelievably arrogant – BTW you think Americans were hated during the Bush administration – they would be utterly despised and a real joke throughout the world if they voted in Trump – he's an ignorant moron who thinks he has class – he probably has – it's just a pity it's all third!!
It will all come out in one of his shows he will announce he will not run for President. It's all a publicity stunt to bust ratings and get his show in the news,.
Should he be playing us, what a sorrowful shame that he would use America's hallowed democratic process to plug a reality show. Even worse would be the prospect that so many Americans fell for it.
The answer is It doesnt really matter. Whenever someone joins the political arena, they stir up the pot causing other politicians to perform better for "the people". Competition is good for the consumer in all areas of life, including politics. Publicity is the indirect benefit Donald receives, but its good for the American People to have him in the pool. Donald is actually doing way more good for the American People by his actions lately than any of us here in this blog. Yes, us the ones that just sit on the computer giving opinions on blogs but not ACTUALLY doing anything to make the real changes, and affect peoples' lives. So, all in all, its a good thing!
Yes of Course. I think he just looks at the polls and just says whatever will help him gain in popularity. Most of the goods and services with buy are produced in this country. We import more goods from Canada than China. If China wants to subsidize their goods than I'll gladly buy their cheaper goods. But his attacks on China and his 25 percent tariff proposal are popular because people believe it will help the country and create jobs when it wont. If we have to spend more on some goods than we spend less on others and therefore it increases unemployment in other areas OPEC has to follow the laws of supply and demand but he magically thinks if he tells them to lower their prices they will and because people want lower gas prices they believe him. People are fools.
Donald for PRESIDENT!!! ANYBODY would beat the one we have now. He's spending us into bankruptcy.
yes Jack, the guy feeds on attention, i have something to tell u Mr. Trump, ignorant business men don't harm no body, ignorant politicians are the cause of 10s of deaths daily
Are you on the trumpmobile ride...all about money...keep him off the camera....money again....we have real issues...where your media
money can be used....schools,,,,education... health care....just a few
give us info on how these countries like libya are still receiving money
and what can be done....start some good going....
No one can be played unless they want to be. Let the games begin.
Of course he is. If only we could charge him TV ad rates for all the hundreds of hours of TV coverage he is getting for free!
Kailua HI
In a fair election, Donald Trump would win. It's simple, he went from Riches to rags to Riches. You cannot compare Donald Trump to Howard Stern. That would be comparing Jerry Lewis and Howard Stern to Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. They are all rich, but the difference between rich fools and self made men is quite a gap. Most of the wealthy in America, did not start from zero, or wind up on zero or with a negative balance. So, the kind of thinking that solves the problems America has financially, has gone on inside Donald Trumps head.
I have no idea what he is up to....
That being said, I like SOME of the stances he has taken with respect to stopping our financial bleeding. If he were in office, could he get enough of our 99 yr old career Senators to get anything done?...probably not.
Hi Jack, I don't know Whether he playing us for suckers or not. But, if he runs, Obama should hire Rosie O'dennell for his campaign manager.
Jack, When it comes to putting his own money where his mouth is, you'll see Mr. Trump fade away.
Of course he is Jack. Any media that gives this man one second of air should be ashamed. It's that simple. Jack, will you apologize for CNN?
LaPorte, Indiana
He is and has always been about himself.
He has played this as a game before and the stakes are higher for him now, so here he goes again.
All the polls show that a wide majority of republicans believe the birther garbage. And a good number of them in State Legislatures around the country are wasting the taxpayers money introducing birther bills. Meanwhile, all the house republicans just voted to end medicare and turn it into a program where you get a coupon and are sent out into the private market to buy insurance. All that while 70% of the tea party hypocrites who voted for them are opposed to even modest cuts in medicare. At least people know they're being suckered by Trump.
On the early TV interviews The Don was spousing the independent tea party rhetoric which I loved. I was all ready to get behind him all the way. He even pointed out that all the phony divisive issues of politics was what was ruining this country. The finger pointing and name calling MUST END. He must have hired some campaign manager with ignorant republican roots that told him the only way to win was to demagog and name call. I'm sure glad the sheep's clothing fell of this wolf before I had to make a decision for voting on him.
Steve D
New Windsor , MD
Yes...yes and again...yes
Donald Trump is an egotistical buffoon
The only thing more ridiculous than his thinking he could be President is any idiot out there agreeing with him
He can only play us for a sucker if we vote for him. If he won, no doubt he would take the title, worst president ever, from 'I'm the decider', Bush.
I. for one, would most certainly vote for him. He is a good, honest snake oil salesman...At least he has a strong voice and solid opinions,will tell it like it is..
Jack,
The republicans need to get over the birther right!! He won and yhis issue is getting old. As far as trump, not a chance for my vote, electing trump to represent me would be the same if mice could vote and elect cats as there reps!!!
What do you mean by "us" Kimosabe; I'm a Democrat
Yes he is! He has no intention of ever disclosing his Net worth to the world. All he wants is to increase his ratings and show the world what a bimbo he is.
I hope Trump's not playing us. Lets face it Jack, this Country is going down hill. We will lose our Superpower status in a few years and end up a third world country within 10 years. Heck, China is even laughing at us now. All the Obama Administration can do is blame the last 10 years on everything. Remember this, Mr. Obama did not inherit a bad economy, he fought for it!!!!! I think Mr. Trump will get this Country back on it's feet and not bow down or apologize for America. He will back off the birther issue soon I believe because there's not much anyone can do about it one way or another now. That should have been the job of the media back in 2008.
No, I think he really wants to be president, but he is testing the water. If he notices the negative comments and low ratings, then he will step down.
He is playing to the Obama haters and exarating the problems we have, trying to get more people interested.
Doris
Ojai, California
Does anybody really care? How about Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell, ,,,They are all in the same group. People who can talk as if they were politically astute, but they are simply people who don't know their behinds from a hole in the ground.
Martin
Martinsburg, WV
Trump is a good businessman? Anyone that says this knows nothing about him. How many bankruptcies has he had? He's bankrupted a casino..a casino...where the house always wins. His wealth came from his father, not through his own hard work. He was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple. He is nothing but an ill informed, overinflated ego, and all of this is about publicity for himself. He is playing the media for suckers. Why is that the biggest trainwrecks out there get the most attention?
Hmmm - if it walks like a duck, ... Well, you know.
Yes. What makes The Don think he can run the world largest economy when he can't run his business. The republicans are in worst shape than even they know.
Mr. Trump has stated that he wishes that he had not been put into the position to run for president, with that being said, I do not believe he is playing us but actually is doing this to get another strong GOP candidate to actually run. Who that candidate maybe is unknown, but that he wants an individual to step up to plate that would be strong competition for the presidency and who is truly able to do the job, not the nutty Bachmann, Palin type
Jack,
What do you get when you cross John Boehner with Paris Hilton? Donald Trump.
Not me. I'm boycotting NBC until they pull his program off the air. This country has too much going on right now for this megalomanic to disrupt the political process and speciously attack the President of the United States, so that his B-list reality show gets higher ratings.
he's playing those who would follow like peter played the piper and followers, you are the same people who believe tea partiers are not republicans...wake up seriously:(
Obama is a self centered fool and is destroying this Nation from within.Donald Trump cannot be as bad as Obama and hey we gave Obama a chance in which he is blowing big time..I say Trump in 2012
But of course. It's not his hair, but whats underneath that must be checked.
If Mr.Trump is playing us for suckers, he has it easy: So many of us contemporary Americans are. His possible presidential candidacy says much more about voters than about him. There have always been, and always will be, minor league figures trying for the majors (look at the current bunch) but an informed, rational citizenry would weed them out quickly. It's us we have to be concerned about. In the mold of Dwight Eisenhower or Franklin Roosevelt, Mr. Trump is simply not presidential timber.
Simple Jack, " Show me the Money", Running for president, will be a great Return on Investment for Trump, He will make sure he does not win, and walk away with millions. What a deal.............
Cafferty there a sucker born every minute there 1440 minute in a day you do the math
How can you even ask that question? When has he ever done anything else? His whole life has been built around playing the entire world for suckers, ratings, or whatever else he could get. It's the only way he knows how to live. People listening to him should take note, this is not the lifestyle of a person of character. He's the wealthiest snake oil salesman in the world.
The answer is yes Jack and you guys are sucking this media whore's constant vie for attention all the way down to the bone. Is there really so little else going on that this clown is getting this much attention from you?? He is not running, repeat not running. He is full of you know what. Donald trump has never been anything but an attention grabbing monkey with a drum. How many millionaires do you know have as long a resume as he does playing himself in movies as, you guessed it, a big millionaire. Self promotion is one thing but when it comes to the pursuit of something as serious as public office, either do it or shut up about it. Is Donald Trump really ready to give that giant ego stroke TV show of his? Is he ready and available for the kind of financial scrutiny that comes with running for office, is he prepared to put all his other interests on the back burner while he runs or for four years if hell freezes over and he wins? No, no and no.
One president who has gone bankrupt is enough for me thank you very much.
Trump is a Buffoon that belongs in the circus. People are scared and worried so here comes the fool who yells fire. He is a con man and that is all he knows.always with his hand in your pocket. He doesn't empathize or sympathize with hard working Americans and he thinks were not smart enough to see through his cheap act. He puffs himself up on others sweat and never takes responsibility for any wrongdoing. I was raised to be honorable, respectful and courageous these are the morals that make are country great. We can overcome any obstacle if we only meet each other in the middle and stop the finger waving. Trump forgot where he came from I have nothing remotely in common with a bully and coward like him. Unless he is the main act at circus.
Donald Trump is a joke. why does a business man thinks he can lead a nation? Anyone who knows Mr. Trump in person would agree with me that he is one of the most rude, unrealistic person who not only does not know but never did needed to wake up at 3 AM and or have work all day to support a feed a family. He is a risk taker, an opportunist who takes advantage over fragile business or anyone who need help from his capitalism. Americans need to wake up and see the options we have on our hand this coming election!
Trump is crazy like a Fox.He is not stupid and the extremists in my party love to hear him bleat. He gets the press,the media coverage and his ratings will sore.He's the Jerry Springer of the Birther Movement. He puts himself at the center which is what this is all about. Never has someone who has achieved so little of importance been given so much attention. He makes a joke out of political commentary and the media feeds his purpose.
If it's ratings he wants, let's give them to him. Don't tune in to his show's finale, and he'll have the lowest ratings around. That'll show him who the real sucker is!
Donald Trump is a joke! I saw a bird in a qildlife magazine with the same hair style! Ifr we can't find someone with more stability than Donald Trump, this country is really bad off! Eveb if he does run, he has too many skeletons in hus closet to pass the smell test.. Wonder how he will explain all those affairs he had while he was married to his 3 or 4 wives he has been married too. If he can't manage his personal life, who in the heck is going to hand him a country to manage....He won't run, he can't pass the smell test...
I thought you know better Jack. “I know how to run a business; I know how to deal with China”, Trump claims—this claim by doesn’t hold any water at all. Trump is only good for firing people at his show; but if he thinks he is smart as he claimed many times before, then, he should stay away from running because he is already been fired before he even announce his desire to run for the presidency of the United States. I don’t need Donald Trump to fool Americans because he is a looser before an election day!!
There is no doubt in my mind that Trump is playing all of us. He would never put up cash knowing he's got no chance, and that he would certainly lose it.. He's touts himself as a businessman, remember? If I am wrong, then the answer is that he is so narcissistic to believe that he is the people's gift. If the latter, it is the ONLY reason he would actually put up that much cash. My guess? He knows how to get press and he's workin' it!!! Come June he'll give us some reason as to why the presidency is not for him, making us believe that he was actually serious when he wasn't. Go figure, why do think our country is in such a mess?
No he is not playing US, Who is US?? He is playing himself!!!
Not only do I not believe that we are being played for suckers, but the opposite. He is very serious. First I have been listening to him carefully for months. He truly believes as I do that our entire country is in trouble and he believes he can bring us out of it. He is of the Teddy Roosevelt(big stick) policy("Don't get involved with Libya unless you take their oil) . Only someone with his ego would take on the task. He sees the world as a business arrangement with China and other countries getting the best deal.We are building them while we are crumbling. He sees OPEC as being protected by the United States and then price-fixing oil so we get a hard time. He will run for sure. This is his only time. He would be a little old to wait 4 years(he is 65 now I think). If he grabs on to a populist neoisolationist movement, watch out as he will have appeal across the board from dems to libertarians to republicans. And seriously, look at the competition-Pawlenty who approves of Wall Street Bailouts. Romney with baggage a mile long and Gingrich(My patriotism made me do it). Sara Palin a sparkplug, buy could't hack a serious run. If you find a betting table, put odds on Trump.
Hope Trump is serious about running for President, because I am seriously considering voting for him if he runs. Never have cared for Donald Trump, but I agree with everything he says about China and getting this country back on the right track. He needs to stop with the birther thing and stick to the issues. I would like to know how President Obama has time to be on the road campaigning today when we are in such a sorry state of affairs? If gas goes any higher I won't be able to afford to go to work.
I am sick and tired of Donald Trump
crying on TV about how he can fix this country.
All this is, is a plot to boost ratings on his crappy show, and
to buy the presidency–not to mention, fuel
his enormous ego.
Donald, stick to your crappy show.
The office of president is NOT for sale...
neither are the American people.
Hey Don.."YOUR fired!"
PS: I'm NOT a tea party member/participant
The President of the US, should not only have intelligence, but diplomacy. Trump maybe a good businessman and that is questionable, as well; but he is no diplomat. And, he is not that articulate. What is he going to say to foreign diplomats, "Your fired." Plus, because he has been married 3 times, has declared bankruptcy a few times, owes money to several companies, his ethical, moral and integrity have to be questioned. Mr. Trump go back to being a businessman, and yelling at your staff.
Heck YES! The Donald has no one but himself in mind here.. He's willing to go so far as to hijack the American political process for his own financial gain and to spike his reality TV ratings. If the Donald has some new evidence about the president, then let's see it. Otherwise, the Donald has none. If the Donald is running for president then he needs to focus on the issues. Otherwise, He should Go back to his office and have his aids feed the creature on the top of his head. Its about "the Donald" and only about "The Donald."
The Don, the bad boy, mister arrogant,
It simple would benefit HIM nothing to be president, financially or otherwise and after all, the DON is all about the DON!
Therefore, the man is PLAYING everyone, maybe even himself!
Yes Jack,
Personally I don't think he really wants to be president. He is just doing what he has always done, self inflate his ego.
It's funny though, he thinks he has us buy the "Taj Mahal's"!
Matt
Yes he is. I distinctly recall him telling a TV interviewer that if he wins the Republican nomination, "it will be the biggest con job ever foisted on the American voter." Trump and the other birthers are ignorant buffoons who make a mockerty of our electoral process and I cannot fathom why the media gives them any air time at all.
Donald Trump should be careful. He should NOT confuse the popularity of his silly TV shows as an endorsement for him running for President.
My husband and I like "Celebrity Apprentice." Just like we like "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars." My husband even likes "Two and a half Men." So what. This is our brainless, relax, non-think time. We would no more vote for Trump then we would vote for Charlie Sheen. Come on! Trump is a Joke! As President, he would be a humiliation. Besides, we don't watch his show to watch him! We watch the show to see the trainwreck between Meatloaf and Gary Busey. Now that Gary is off, I bet there are even less viewers.
Donald Trump, WE THE PEOPLE take Our President Seriously. And YOU, Trump, WE DO NOT Take Seriously!
He is going to run for the GOP nomination, not win that race but run as an independent, split the republican vote and allow Obama to win by a landslide the likes of which has never been seen
I think he should stop now before makes ARABS and MOSLEMS more angry and create more problem or at less learn how to speak as politician not as Tv showman
Donald Trump is a salesman and full of himself. He is out there to sell you a bridge to somewhere if you are willing to buy it. He is entertaining though and trying to drive up his ratings. He doesn't do anything unless it serves HIS PURPOSE.
Only the people who take him seriously.
Donald Trump reminds me of a more popular
Ross Perot. Except Perot didn't have a popular
reality TV show, and Perot has much better hair.
Maybe you should try diagrams Don, after all we're all
sheep, you're the "genius" as you claim.
Go ahead, throw down millions and try and buy the presidency.
When you lose, we'll all yell with joy, "YOUR fired!!!"
He is probably using his bid for Pres as a negotiating tactic.
On the hand, it is refreshing to hear someone speak frankly on the key issues of Debt, National Security and economy.
He is not a politician which is also refreshing. He seems to be concerned about America and America's future, while the current President, his party and the Repubs continue the same old partisan battles and nothing gets done.
We need to run the country more like a business and we would be better off. Trump brings that kind of background to the party.
Bringing up the birth certificate is most definitely a stunt. I think Trump believes Pres. Obama was born in Hawaii but he knows this will get the typical "Stars & Bars" crowd motivated to slander Obama, this way he (Trump) won't have to. The GOP just can't go after people on real issues, as was the case with Pres. Clinton, when they spent 8 years investigating his sex life to discover he lied about it. Big Deal! Everyone lies about sex, you either deny or embellish. Now they are incapable of debating Obama on real issues preferring instead to attack him for non-issues like the birth certificate.
I think Mr.Trump is a showman & knows how to play to the media. The media loves him like they love Obama but for different reasons. If he decides to run it will divide the Republican party & guess who will win again Obama. Trump may know how to make a buck but he is very deceptive. He has been bankrupt at least 3 times in some of his businesses.The casinos have his name but not his ownership any longer. He will be very reluctant to reveal his net worth which is estimated at 2 billion with a lot of debt on his real estate holdings. Make no mistake, Trump is promoting himself & not the good of this country. There is alot more to being president than knowing how to make a buck and making deals. The whole issue of Obama's birth certificate is ridiculous. How can a man who has been Senator & now is President get through the system if he wasn't born in USA. That means that somebody in Hawaii or the federal government didn't do their job or worst got paid off. Mr.Trump will fade out in a few months, when confronted about his net worth & the real issues that face this country.
Of course he is, he is racist and is making up lies about a president that can do a million times better then him, he is talking trash but cant support it
Donald Trump is trying to play all of us for suckers, but some of us know better, that includes myself and some people who know Trump very well. Trump is not really a serious candidate nor will he ever be. He is just using the 2012 Presidential Campaign to promote himself and his business and nothing more.
Trump is at the bottom of the most Wealthy. Buffet and Gates have given away more than trump has been able to cheat people out of!
As to the 'us'...do not count most of the Americans in on this
With all the Media attention he needs to get a strategy to end it, and he only has three options, run and win, run and lose or just QUIT. My feelings he will just quit, the Media is a double edge sword.
I believe that Donald Trump is drawing Republicans because he's a new "Flash In the Pan" just like Sarah Palin did for awhile.
Republican and some Independent voters are desperate for a star to cling to. this tell that the current field of "Serious GOP Candidates" are "Old Hat" to most Republican voters. Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Haley Barber, Newt Gingrich, and even Sarah Palin have "Outlived their Usefulness". all of these people are political hacks from the past. If Obama runs the same kind of campaign he ran in 2008 and gets out the same percentage of the vote.
Trump is not a Politician, He is a businessman and thusly thinks as a businessman, with his ratings tanking he will do or say what he needs to bring attention to himself. It's like a spoiled brat making loud noises to get attention.
I don't know sweetie, Maybe we should all watch his show to find out 😉 If I miss it will you let me know??
Absolutely, beyond a doubt and he should be FIRED! He is absurd and a certifiable loon.
That said I have to admit he is right about at least one thing. China, their efforts to steal America's and the rest of the world's intellectual property far exceeds anything we can com close to imaging from the outright theft of trillions of dollars of intellectual property to the profit eating cost of reacting to their thefts and the technology war we have to wage in our vain attemptst to stop them, and they manufacture those products for us.
Go figure?