Trump jumps in: The Donald's latest White House run is officially on

[Jazzy]

Donald Trump finally took the plunge.

The real estate mogul and TV reality star launched his presidential campaign Tuesday, ending more than two decades of persistent flirtation with the idea of running for the Oval Office.

"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd in a lengthy and meandering 45-minute speech that hit on his signature issues like currency manipulation from China and job creation, while also taking shots at the president and his competitors on the Republican side.

"Sadly the American dream is dead," Trump said at the end of his speech. "But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before."

Trump has already billed himself as the "most successful person ever to run for the presidency, by far," pointing out even that he owns a "Gucci store that's worth more than Romney."

That Gucci store wasn't far as Trump made his announcement -- it's located in the lobby of the Trump Tower.

But Trump showed Tuesday that he won't shy away from the out-of-reach luxury and opulence that makes up his day-to-day lifestyle.

Instead, he flaunted his wealth and success in business as a centerpiece of his presidential platform, and he began that officially on Tuesday, trumpeting his whopping $8.7 billion net worth during his announcement speech. Trump's net worth was previously estimated at roughly $4 billion.

"That's the kind of thinking our country needs," Trump said after reading off his net worth, to the thousandth dollar.

He pointed out that his wealth and successful business career not only qualified him to be president -- "I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created." -- but that it would allow him to rid himself of the special interests that he said control American politics.

That's because the billionaire said he would self-fund his presidential campaign, not only ridding himself of some outside influences, but also freeing up more time to campaign as candidates can often spend about half their time raising funds to keep their campaign coffers from depleting.

"I'm really rich," Trump said, adding that his confident attitude is what the country needs after having "losers" run the country.

Trump's wealth and results-driven success is business is part of what he hopes will be his appeal to voters as he looks to set himself apart from career politicians.

"I've watched the politicians, I've dealt with them all my life," Trump said. "They will never make America great again. They don't even have a chance."

It's his confidence that business associates say has made him the successful mogul he is today.

"He has the guts and the balls," said Roberto Bezjon, a Trump Organization board member and owner of a high-end New York hair salon located in a Trump building. "He's a straight shooter."

Supporters gathered for the announcement had the same impression. Many of them were either several-time supporters of Trump's past flirtations with elected office or small business owners in New York who said they were confident Trump would be a boon for the economy.

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Thoughts?

 

[Evil Eye]

At least he won't be bribable?

 

[Jazzy]

I'm laughing so hard that I can't even come up with an appropriate comment.

 

[Smiley]

I'm not an American, so I'm not really qualified here to comment, but why do I have a feeling that, if he becomes a president, he'll try to run a whole country like he runs his businesses, which means a lot of "you're fired" when someone displeases him?

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

His bluntness is beyond refreshing and had me enjoying every minute of it. Specially some of his comments about illegals from Mexico. His no political correctness talk is a dream come true. Would I vote for him? Lets just say until I learn more about specifics in what he believes in conservatism I have him of the shelf for consideration.

 

[DrLeftover]

His last name does NOT begin with the second or third letter of the alphabet.