Donald Trump Switches Parties: From Republican to Independent
- Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:20pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
AP
Donald Trump is no longer a Republican, fueling further speculation that he might be close to launching a third-party presidential bid.
The business and reality TV mogul — who recently backed out of moderating a GOP debate and has had a back-and-forth flirtation with the idea of making his own presidential run — has switched his party affiliation from “Republican” to “unaffiliated,” ABC News reported.
A source close to Trump said the switch happened Thursday because of how “disgusted” he is with the way Republicans are handling things in Washington, according to the network.
Trump special counsel Michael Cohen confirmed to Politico Trump made the switch “in order to preserve his right to run as an independent if he is [not pleased] with the GOP nominee.”
Trump had said definitively back in May he would not be running for president, before amending that position days later to say he would not “rule it out.”
In a web video released just last week, Trump toyed with the idea again.
“Around the middle of May I’ll be able to do whatever I want and I could run as an independent,” Trump said. “If the Republicans pick the wrong person I would, in fact, seriously consider running.”
But according to Politico, sources familiar with New York’s Board of Elections rules said Trump may have missed the cutoff deadline to allow his new registration to take effect for next year: While he has filed the paperwork, state rules dictate he won’t become an independent until after the November 2012 general election.
Trump has a history of switching his political party affiliation: According to ABC, he registered as a Republican in the late 1980s before becoming a Democrat in 2001. He switched back to the GOP in 2009.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 687 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 536 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 447 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 374 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 332 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 294 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 304 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 196 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 301 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 294 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (225)
republic2011
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:54pmWelcome to the race Ross Perot… oh… sorry.. Mr. Trump. Do you all see now what this guy is up to? I am willing to bet he is Obama’s bed buddy. If Obama looks like he is going to be in trouble, Trump boy is going to jump in the race and split the Republican ticket. Mark my words. Obama will have a second term, one way or another. Hold on to your dixie cups… we are in for a wild ride.
Report Post »Patrick Henry II
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:26pmIf you called that before you were right. Of course no congradulations are in order. We are in trouble. Looks like he is Obama’s Ace in the hole.
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:32pmDonald who?
Report Post »Chappy123
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:14pmTotally disgusted with Trump! Makes you wonder why he brought all the BC crap up in the first place. So something could be produced and Trump would suggest he is the hero. Now it appears he may run as an independent.
Mr. Trump cant win as an independent and he is smart enough to know it. He is not a stupid man. Something is being promised, some where, some how,…4 more years will make him several more billion.
Shame on you Mr. Trump! Dont you have enough already? Where are your morals?
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:29pmImagine this, if “The Donald” runs Independent, Romney gets the Republican nod, and Paul runs Libertarian? Who do you think has the upper hand there? Better watch out people. Paul is still the best candidate running. If you want Obama out, you are going to have to start looking at Paul with the way things are going.
Report Post »Mr. Oshawott
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:53pmWhy do I have a feeling that this may be an indication that Donald’s going to make to make good on his idea of running for President?
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:34pmTrump was endorsing Gringrich for president (thus the great debate that never happened).
I can’t figure out how this ties into anything regarding the “real election.”
Report Post »shorthanded12
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:52pmTrump has the right idea to go after China and Opec but for god sake stay a private citizen Mr Trump, your more worthy to America that way.
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:02pmGoing after China and OPEC ???? Easy targets. How do they fight back, the man is a Coward. He should of been going after the people responsible for stopping us from using our own oil, gas, and unfair taxes and trade laws.
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:25pmA General told me to dirsregard Trump..said he’s only into anything for what he can get out of it and he would never look out for the best interests of the American people.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:28pmHow is Trump going to “go after China” while we’re begging them to borrow money?
Report Post »Patriot of My America
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:52pmNone DARE CALL it TREASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »ada16s
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:51pmThis is nothing evil enough that I could wish on you Trump, if you hand Obammy this election…
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:02pmIf he doesn’t, then Ron Paul will. In the meantime, consider voting for Santorum — if we are going to go down in 2012, let’s at least have an honest & honorable Conservative.
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:13pm1st Ron Paul is not running 3rd party
Report Post »2nd Hate to break the news to you but Santorum, Bachmann, and Huntsman didnt even have enough supporters to get on the ballot in VA.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2011/12/bachmann-huntsman-santorum-dont-make-va-ballot-108528.html
TumbleBumble
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:18pmI’m with you, Chuck Stein.
Report Post »Patrick Henry II
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:33pmCommonsense those are good points
Report Post »“1st Ron Paul is not running 3rd party
2nd Hate to break the news to you but Santorum, Bachmann, and Huntsman didnt even have enough supporters to get on the ballot in VA.”
If Paul can shut his mouth when he thinks of saying something stupid like “Michelle Bachman hates Muslims” he would do himself and the Constitutional movement huge favors. Bachman is obviously a Constitutionalist we need to prop up and not tare down. The getting even for Paul’s stupid comment hurt him and Bachman quite a bit.
c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:35pmUpdate: Newt may not make the cut for VA either.
Report Post »http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2011/12/gingrich-still-may-not-make-va-ballot-108580.html
Looks like the field is starting to thin out.
c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:40pm@Patrick Henry II
Report Post »Bachmann doesn’t hate them?? Why would she makeup reports (or just out right lie) saying that they are months away from having a nuke and they have said they are going to use it on the USA? Maybe she was just trying to rally the NeoCon Base for WAR?
therealconservative
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:41pm@ Common. Thank you for your post. All these years I did not know that Virginia decided who our President would be.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:44pmBachmann and Santorum didn’t get on the ballot in TN either. I’ve submitted all that to The Blaze, but they don’t seem to think TWO states VA and TN are newsworthy.
It MEANS Bachmann and Santorum have zero chance of winning the presidency.
Glenn Beck needs to choose some more candidates.
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:53pmtherealconservative
Report Post »There is a reason why these Candidates can get on the VA Ballot. They all have no Donations (money) and not a soul on the Ground. Bachmann does not have enough money to go to Washington to cast a vote. She hasn’t left Iowa in weeks. Also she has no staff in NH, none, zero, nulla, zip. And the rest are no better off. Its now between Paul and Romney.
therealconservative
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:54pm@VECH
Maybe I’m having a brain fart, but last I rumor I heard we have 50 states
Report Post »drago
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:05pm@commonsense aka encinom
Report Post »You seem to like to throw the term neo-con around quite a bit, now tell me, without copy and pasting from wiki or any other internet source, do you know the meaning of the term, or its origins, i will ask this of anyone on here who likes to throw that term around……….
c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:15pm@drago
Report Post »We have been through this before, There a different meanings of NeoCon. Just like the word “Gay” When I was young it meant Happy, then turned into Homosexual, and now it means Stupid. So just tell me what it means and we can call it a night.
Chappy123
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:17pmIf it’s not Trump, it will be Paul.
Could be the left thinks they need both to run for a sure win.
Report Post »Chappy123
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:21pm@ therealconservative,
There are 58 States. Remember!!!!
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:40pmChappy123
Report Post »Ron Paul is not going to run 3rd party. Look at the polls He is winning. And it looks like Bachmann and Santorum are out.
ashestoashes
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:44pmPATRICK HENRY…No..Paul’s comments did not hurt him.. most of us can sympathize with Bachman to a degree..but what is her solution.? just like all the other neo-cons..keep us in pointless wars which have broken us trillions of dollars..and for what? build those nations so they can turn against us once they have the technology and power..Pakistan already does.. we build them and import a great many muslims to here.How does that help us? I saw that video you posted awhile back where you said you were all for Paul until now.. what happened.? you didn’t buy everything it taught? Think a little deeper Henry..A foriegn theocracy is invading the world…the only way to protect our soverignty is the Constitution..The only way to get rid of Communism in our educational system and our government is the “Constitution” We need freedom of speech..with the Patriot Act and Indefinite Detention..and Sopa these things are going to be a thing of the past. THe Constitution has served this country well..We need to become real Americans once more..get this country out of debt..Paul has in mind to cut 5 Communistic government burearocracies. to save us one trillion the first year and balance the budget within three..We need a Constitional Congress and Senate..We can do this…Be positive.
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:33pmHere is the latest Cavuto interview with Paul: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/your-world-cavuto/index.html#/v/1344493194001/ron-paul-leading-in-new-iowa-poll/?playlist_id=86929
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:44pmI forgot to add that they talk about “The Donald” and the no love lost between him and Ron Paul. Ron Paul 2012.
Report Post »FlamingFartSyndrome
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:50pmTime for all those conservatives who supported Trump to make amendments with the rest of us who knew he was all about the money.
Report Post »Chappy123
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:35pmGuess we all thought “he thought, he had enough”. We were wrong.
The “common folk left” cant stand Trump. He just lost all the “common folk right”. Isnt that what they call the citizens? “common folk”!
Report Post »dictionmary
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:46ammake what??
Report Post »ada16s
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:50pmTake your spam and shove it where the sun don’t shine…
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:44pmLets not forget, Rush and Sean sucking up to Trump? Those to make me sick.
Report Post »Patrick Henry II
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:35pmYour sounding like Donald Trump yourself. Are you here to help the establishment?
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:43pmPatrick Henry II
Report Post »They are the establishment
Sirfoldallot
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:45pmThey did not sux yup u dumb azz
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:01pm@Sirfoldallot
Report Post »I love the name calling. Oh yes they did “Trump”this and “Trump” that, Oh how I like “Donald”. Huntsman and Paul where the only one that told him to take a hike. And they were the 2 made fun of. Who is laughing now?
Vechorik
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:08pmI agree. Fox News does “suck up” to Donald Trump. Hannity/Greta/O’Reilly — just about all of them. Fox gives more exposure to Donald Trump than they give any of the candidates. No other network takes Trump seriously. Why does Fox News?
Glenn said that Fox News made an executive decision to go “more left” — but this is ridiculous.
Report Post »gpk
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:42pmThe “donald” shill for Obama. Great. Down the drain.
Report Post »davetrav
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:41pmMr Trump this isn’t a game. A third party run by anyone could move enough votes to keep Obama in.
Report Post »What would yo think then? Our country can’t take any more of him. Don’t be stupid. America as you read this remember, America needs our help and it is up to us to stop the Democrat spending. Name
something Obama has done to up lift America. For God’s sake —WAKE UP
Stuck_in_CA
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:41pmHow is it that approx 40% of my legitimate posts get rejected, and this jerk’s SPAM keeps showing up???
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 1:08amI’m suprised to hear that 40% of your posts are rejected. Sometime it takes a while for mine to be posted but I have never had one rejected. I thought a few would because of possible language problems but they always make it on. Have a Merry Christmas
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:41pmA clown show at the circus.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:24pmFrom the person that posted this:
Baikonur
Report Post »Posted on August 30, 2011 at 12:29pm
Blazers, especially the female contingent, wake up and smell the roses–Nancy Pelosi is an accomplished, wonderful, intelligent woman. She was the highest ranking woman in politics ever. She is a sucessfull businesswoman and a champion of women’s rights. She is Italian-American, a mother of five children and a grandmother of eight.
Glenn Beck is a washed up ex-alcie shock jock who had a flash in the pan career on Fox, which is over.
Who would you prefer as a role model for your daughters and granddaughters?
Baikonur
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:28pm@Therightsofbilly
Report Post »Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:24pm
From the person that posted this:
‘ Blazers, especially the female contingent, wake up and smell the roses–Nancy Pelosi is an accomplished, wonderful, intelligent woman. ‘
**********************************
Billy, do you know how flattered I am that you actually saved a quote of mine, and now reposted it? I stand behind it 100% by the way. Want to be my biographer? :) You seem to be on your way to compiling a dossier.
Therightsofbilly
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 12:41amAs long as you stand by it, glad to oblige. Can’t let a gem like that fade in to oblivion.
You sound an awful like JZS.
If one quote constitutes a dossier in your mind, OK, it’s a dossier.
Biographer? Naw, that‘s really the only memorable thing you’ve written. Would be a really short book. Besides, I don’t conduct business with Europeans. Especially Western Europeans.
Report Post »Drakkhanlord
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:39pmSomeone should grab his dam hair and yank it of his dam head…
Report Post »knighttemplar999
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:39pmThere might be a rat hiding in that rat’s nest, might get bitten if you get your hand too close to his hair.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:51pmROFL — I haven’t had a good laugh at the Blaze in quite awhile — but that one did it for me! LOL
Report Post »Thanks!
c0mm0nsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:38pmAll I have to know about Trump is which Republican Candidates met with him. Who kissed the hand of the Donald? Who was going to go to his Debate?
Report Post »txwheels
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:38pmExactly what I figured he would do to split the vote up, to help his Democrat buddies. Trump is a piece of ****!
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:36pmHere we go again. Ross Perot part III. Hand another term to Obummer. This country will not survive!
Report Post »Patrick Henry II
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:37pmAmerica will have to rise up from the ashes if Obummer gts re-elected. May anyway.
Report Post »Energized
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:34pmHe had the republicans kiss his ring and now they have to live with being upstaged.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:31pmI wouldn’t be surprised he would vote for President Obama coming next election. Trump! You’re fired!!!
Report Post »bocajojo4
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:30pmIf Donald helps re-elect Mr. O, Donal is finished! TV show and all…America will not forgive nor forget….
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:50pmHe likes streeing the pot , + he likes being in busness. He won’t run but wants the GOP 2 wake up and kick this bunch out.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:30pmDonalds a democrat, he’s always supported the democratic party with his very generous donations, drudge report shows his donation to Rham in Chicago for the mayoral race. Now how many real republicans gave Rahm money I wonder, ummm ZERO ?
Report Post »I’m very tired of this hairdont and his manipulative behaviors, I would vote for Drewpy dog before I’d even think about supporting Donald the Trump(Et).
pissedlizard
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:27pmNot to get off the subject but Blaze regulars may want to read an article about a British man in the U.K. that was beat nearly to death by a group of muslim pakistanis AND THE POLICE WILL NOT EVEN RESPOND!!!
Read it here:
http://barenakedislam.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/breaking-edl-english-defence-league-leader-tommy-robinson-severely-beaten-by-group-of-paki-muslim-savages-in-london/
Remember-we are only a few steps behind the U.K. with accepting muslims and islamic culture in the USA.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:14pmNot far behind them at all, but biggest difference between us and the UK, at least for now, is that we have the means to protect ourselves.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:27pmHis ego can’t handle getting a fraction of 1% of the vote, he won’t run. It’s just free publicity for his TV show.
Report Post »dictionmary
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:25pmHe’s a SHILLARY.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:24pmDon‘t blame him a bit who in the heck wants to continue to support the Republican party of cowards that won’t stand up and fight obama hitchmen
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:24pmHe is a Democrat. He is doing this to dilute the vote.
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:29pmUnfortunately Trump is proving what most of us have believed for a long time—it is all about Trump and his wealth–he believes in no one but himself and is proving he is the joke we all have thought he was since he became a celebrity with tons of money! He is a joke with a hugh ego!
Report Post »justangry
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:33pmThat‘s what I’m thinking. He knows that running will lock up Obama’s 2nd term.
Report Post »Jezreel
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:48amWe need to pray that something would happen to Trump that would keep him from making sure Obama stays in. He is an Obama plant. May his business cause him so much trouble that he will not have time to run as president. He is really a traitor, making sure that Obama gets back in.
Report Post »