Trump Pulls Out of GOP Debate: I'm Unwilling to Say I Wont 'Run As an Independent

Donald Trump has pulled out of his own debate, the business mogul announced in a statement Tuesday.

Trump was scheduled to moderate the Newsmax GOP debate on Dec. 27. However, all the GOP candidates except Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum had declined to attend. Many questioned Trump's refusal to say he wouldn't eventually enter the race as a third-party candidate.

In the statement announcing his decision, Trump addressed the concern -- or rather, further fueled speculation.

"It is very important to me that the right Republican candidate be chosen to defeat the failed and very destructive Obama Administration, but if that Republican, in my opinion, is not the right candidate, I am not willing to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate," he said. "Therefore, so that there is no conflict of interest within the Republican Party, I have decided not to be the moderator of the Newsmax debate."

Trumps full statement is below, courtesy of Fox News Insider:

“The Republican Party candidates are very concerned that sometime after the final episode of The Apprentice, on May 20th, when the equal time provisions are no longer applicable to me, I will announce my candidacy for President of the United States as an Independent and that, unless I conclusively agree not to run as an Independent, they will not agree to attend or be a part of the Newsmax debate scheduled for December 27, 2011. It is very important to me that the right Republican candidate be chosen to defeat the failed and very destructive Obama Administration, but if that Republican, in my opinion, is not the right candidate, I am not willing to give up my right to run as an Independent candidate. Therefore, so that there is no conflict of interest within the Republican Party, I have decided not to be the moderator of the Newsmax debate. The American people are embarrassed by the gridlock currently taking place in Washington. I must leave all of my options open because, above all else, we must make America great again!

I would like to thank Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum for having the courage, conviction, and confidence to immediately accept being a part of the Newsmax debate. I believe this would not only have been the most watched debate, but also the most substantive and interesting debate!”

Considering Trump's mention of his show and the finale date, however, many will surely speculate if the entire thing wasn't a publicity stunt in the first place.