The Donald Bows Out, Trump Announces He Won't Run For President In 2012 [Video]

Donald Trump announced that he wouldn't be seeking the Republican nomination for President in 2012.

He released a statement that said:

"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."

Trump had been very critical of President Obama in the last several months. At one point leading the charge of the "birthers" who don't believe Obama was born in the United States despite him showing previous proof.

Trump took credit last month when Obama produced a long form birth certificate. But that seemed to kill his criticism of the President. It didn't help that he was made to look foolish at the most recentWhite House Correspondents' Dinner when the President roasted him for several minutes.

Let's face it, this could have all been a huge publicity stunt for Trump, who isn't afraid to be a media wh*re when he's promoting something, like his television show 'Celebrity Apprentice.'

NBC had already announced it would replace Trump on the show if he were to run for the oval office.