Is Donald Trump actually serious about 2012?
The Donald is making it look like he really does intend to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Could he really mean it this time?

Donald Trump has a history of making loud noises about running for president, only to quiet down after a beneficial flood of publicity. But this year could be different, say Maggie Haberman and Ben Smith at Politico. Trump actually "appears likely to launch a formal presidential campaign, hire staff, shake hands in Iowa, participate in debates — in short, run for president." NBC, which broadcasts Trump's Celebrity Apprentice, isn't buying it. But with his money, name recognition, and recent strength in the polls, some Republicans are taking the real estate mogul seriously. Is Trump taking this whole presidential run thing seriously, too?
The Republican establishment thinks he's for real: Trump's political ascendance "has been as fast as its has been shocking," says Chris Cillizza in The Washington Post. And the surest sign that he's "gaining traction" is that other Republicans have started attacking him. Trump would be a "a deep-pocketed enemy," and now that he's making serious moves to compete, "the best case scenario for 2012 candidates not named Trump is that he loses interest in the race."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump is joking, intentionally or not: It doesn't really matter if Trump is serious, says Jonathan Chait in The New Republic. Maybe "his campaign is not a joke in the sense of Trump being in on it, but it is a joke in the sense that his entire career is a joke." Given his past support for Canadian-style health care, disdain for George W. Bush, and kind words for President Obama, he could only be the GOP nominee in a world where the Republican Party as we know it "ceases to exist."
Don't underestimate his appeal: Nobody but Trump knows how serious he is about running, says Scott Paul at Politico. "But I do know this: The media and punditry are underestimating his appeal to middle America," and Trump isn't. Midwesterners love that he "speaks his mind," and voters of all parties are "hungry for someone who says, 'Enough!' to the outsourced jobs and debt we send to China." So far, Trump's the only one banging that drum.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published