Magnate Donald Trump announces bid for US presidency

Developer Donald Trump delivers remarks during his announcement that he will run for president of the United States, in the lobby of Trump Tower, New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2015. Trump, the 12th high-profile Republican to enter the 2016 race, announced his candidacy in a free-ranging 40-minute speech in which he boasted about his ability to fortify the border with Mexico to prevent “rapists” from entering the U.S. AP PHOTO

NEW YORK— Donald Trump, the flamboyant US real estate magnate and television personality whose fortune is valued at $9 billion, on Tuesday announced a longshot bid for the presidency on the ticket of the Republican Party.

Known in the US as The Donald, Trump is a celebrity, a businessman and a master of self-promotion. He will be entering an increasingly crowded presidential race, competing for the Republican Party’s nomination with such big names as former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who is the son and brother of two former US presidents.

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Trump made the announcement in New York City before a small crowd of supporters, some wearing campaign shirts saying “Make America Great Again!” and “No More Career Politicians.” In his well-known bombastic style, he mixed boasts about his wealth with promises to defeat effortlessly the Islamic State group and negotiate trade deals with China.

“Sadly, the American dream is dead,” Trump said. “But if I get elected president, I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before, and we will make America great again.”

Trump has teased presidential runs before, but has always backed out. This is time he is the 12th high-profile Republican to enter the 2016 race, with more to come in the weeks ahead.

And while he is not viewed as a front-runner, Trump is doing just well enough in early public opinion polls that he may earn a place on stage during Republican presidential primary debates.

Trump’s announcement drew immediate scorn online from a series of Republicans, who fear he will turn an otherwise serious Republican primary contest into a circus.

“I just apologized to my toddler for bringing him up in a country where Donald Trump runs for Prez, gets better than 2% in the polls,” veteran Republican strategist Liz Mair tweeted.

The Democratic National Committee was just as sarcastic on Twitter, saying that Trump “adds some much needed seriousness that previously been lacking” from the Republican Party.

As part of the campaign Trump is required to reveal his net worth, sources of income, liabilities and assets, as well as the same information for his wife and dependent children. Trump said Tuesday he is ready to do that, pegging his net worth at roughly $9 billion.

Originally posted: 11:44 PM June 16th, 2015