New York real estate mogul Donald Trump has reportedly left the Republican Party in New York, switching his voter registration to independent.
The move was disclosed 10 days after the real estate mogul announced he would not moderate a planned debate among 2012 Republican presidential candidates in order to protect a possible White House run as an independent. All but two candidates declined to participate in Trump’s planned Dec. 27 forum in Iowa.
“Mr. Trump has said for almost a year that if he is not satisfied with who the Republican candidate is, he may elect to run as an independent,” Trump spokesman Michael Cohen said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “This change in party affiliation certainly preserves his right to do so, after the finale of ‘The Apprentice’ in May.”
The New York real estate mogul announced earlier this year that he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination. Since then, Mr. Trump has met with a number of Republican presidential candidates, including former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Mr. Trump has said he is considering whether he will enter the 2012 race as an independent, noting that he would enter the race if he is not impressed with the Republican presidential nominee.
The New York real estate mogul has not tamped down speculation, instead adding fuel to the fire in recent weeks.
“Around the middle of May I’ll be able to do whatever I want and I could run as an independent,” said Mr. Trump in a web video posted earlier this week. “If the Republicans pick the wrong person I would, in fact, seriously consider running.”
