Donald Trump won’t join the fight for the White House in 2012

“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,” Trump said.

He also added: “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, who is among the fiercest opponents of the policies of President Barack Obama, launched a campaign against the president, arguing that he wasn’t born in the U.S., a fact that would have meant Obama didn’t have the right to occupy the presidential office.

The president was forced to publish his birth certificate in order to silence the rumor. As a response to his attacks, earlier this month Obama mocked Trump during a speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner.