Donald Trump (Getty)
Reality television star, real estate mogul and former Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump is dialing up his support for Michele Bachmann. Tonight, Mr. Trump will be hosting a “tele-townhall” for Ms. Bachmann’s Presidential campaign, but he hasn’t said whether he’s giving the Minnesota Congresswoman his official endorsement.
In an email to supporters announcing the “tele-townhall” Sunday night, Ms. Bachmann said she and Mr. Trump will both be on the phone to take questions from caller and to ”discuss the state of the race, along with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
“This is an incredible opportunity for you and everyone from Team Bachmann to hear from a businessman who knows firsthand that Barack Obama’s failed policies are crippling our nation’s job creators. I know I’m eager to hear Donald Trump’s thoughts about the race so far and why he thinks retiring Barack Obama is a top priority for our businesses and families,” Ms Bachmann wrote.
Like Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Ms. Bachmann, Mr. Trump has spent time atop the polls in this Republican race. After publicly flirting with a potential run for months, Mr. Trump announced his decision “not to pursue the office of the Presidency” in May. Though Mr. Trump claimed to be absolutely sure he’d win the election, he said business is his “greatest passion.”
Now that he’s out of the running, Mr. Trump has yet to endorse any of the remaining Republicans. Although Mr. Trump’s poll numbers seemingly collapsed just prior to his exit from the race, his advisors have maintained his endorsement is extremely valuable. Mr. Trump has been courted by several White House hopefuls eager to obtain his blessing. He held widely publicized meetings with Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin prior to her decision not to join the fray. Perhaps no other candidate pursued Mr. Trump more aggressively than Ms. Bachmann, who met with the mogul for the third time last Thursday.
Mr. Trump remained coy about a possibly endorsement of Ms. Bachmann after their most recent encounter. Fox News host Greta Van Susteren asked Mr. Trump whether he’d be backing Ms. Bachmann on Thursday night and he would only say he was “impressed with” Ms. Bachmann and would reveal his official pick “at the appropriate time.”
Ms. Bachmann’s Trump “tele-townhall” is tonight at 8:00 pm Eastern time. Callers can register on her website.
(Disclosure: Donald Trump is the father in law of Jared Kushner, the owner of Observer Media Group)
Follow Hunter Walker on Twitter or via RSS. hwalker@observer.com
