Drops out of 2012 presidential race: "Business is my greatest passion"

After months of stoking birther conspiracies and teasing a run, Donald Trump officially announced he would not seek the 2012 Republican nomination. "Business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector," he stated. The decision came as NBC announced the renewal of 'The Celebrity Apprentice,' suggesting the entire political flirtation may have been a leverage play for his TV contract. He maintained he would have won, asserting, "I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election."

"Business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector." — Statement announcing decision not to run