Trump Reportedly Rules Out Third-Party Run (UPDATED)

Mediaite ^ | 08/26/2015 | by Matt Wilstein

[SeekAndFind]

In the first moments of Fox News’ GOP debate earlier this month, Donald Trump was the only candidate on the stage would not vow to support the eventual nominee of the Republican Party, leaving the door open for an third-party campaign should he fail to secure the nomination.

Now, The Huffington Post is reporting — in their Entertainment section, of course — that Trump has told “several top Republicans” that he has decided to rule out that possibility and commit himself fully to the GOP. Reporters Sam Stein and Ryan Grim cite “several sources” who were privy to the private conversations between Trump and party leaders.

Trump spokesperson Michael Cohen told the reporters, “It is my personal belief that the RNC is treating Mr. Trump the same as the other candidates, and he will live up to his agreement not to run as an independent.” But he also added, “Only Mr. Trump can sign that oath. And when he does, you can rest assured, he will live by it.”

Prior to the first debate, Trump managed to reverse position on the prospect of an Independent run within the span of one day, first saying he would “absolutely” consider it and then saying that his “total focus is to run as a Republican and to win.”

Given that a third-party run would all but assure a victory for the Democratic candidate according to most analyses, RNC chairman Reince Priebus has warned Trump not to go down that road.

UPDATE — 6:20 p.m. ET: Hugh Hewitt asked Trump about The Huffington Post story on his radio show Wednesday evening. Trump said that ruling out a third-party run is “not something” he would want to do at this time.

Listen to audio below, via The Hugh Hewitt Show:

[Photo via Facebook]

— —

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE AUDIO

[Fhios]

I wonder if his fallback is ‘write-in’ candidate now. I still bet he’ll rob Jeb if he ran a write-in campaign.

[vmivol00]

In before nick!

[TexasFreeper2009]

when you winning by a mile and the promise isn’t binding, why not?

lol

[tennmountainman]

If true, what will the GOPe’s do now?

[LS]

“I’ll see your threat, and raise you.”

[Sacajaweau]

Nothing....They're screwing themselves.

This is about the votes of "We, the people"....not about party pandering.

[ballearthout]

If true, now they’re going to CHEAT.

[LS]

Exactly. And besides, isn’t the GOPe counting on him to be honest? What if he just lied? So it’s ironic that they depend on a man they call a “charlatan” and a “clown” and “not serious” to be honest in his statement about being on a ballot. Too rich.

[Fhios]

Character assassination is my bet. Setup interviews, ambush interviews trying to get him to say something off the cuff.

Everybody has to attack Trump now. He’s the leader, the only bulls eye in their site.

Trumps playing a dangerous game with the media. It’s true that his pulling in ratings for them like mad, but eventually that will erode and they’ll have to go back to peddling controversy.

[hosepipe]

If true, what will the GOPe’s do now?

---

They will continue to come out against TRUMP..
So that all the people that despise them will go to TRUMP..

Thus ensuring TRUMP will be selected at the primarys.. which is what they want.. (they think)..

Since most of them are secretly friends with TRUMP..
As are many of the Arch-democrats.. the nasty ones..
Their Faux-outrage is noted, as well..

[Kenny]

I’m sad but we no longer have the freedom to elect our candidate. This has been proven again and again. With Christine O’Donnell, Democrats didn’t destroy her, Republicans did. They’d rather a Democrat than outsider.

Chris McDaniel won fair and square so Republicans cheated. Brought in Democrats, many of who weren’t qualified to vote in the runoff. Bribed, threatened (robocalls that McDaniel was racist) and won the race with Democrat votes.

My point is if they can’t stop Trump in the primaries, and they’re doing everything they can both overtly and subvertly, look for them to work against him in the general. Again, they’d rather have a Democrat than someone who’s a threat to their power club.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

That is the sickening truth.

[deweyfrank]

They are f#%ked! Good move, if true.

[iontheball]

I realize Trump doesn’t need my advice but he better enter into a binding written contract with the RNC. The consideration is that if he agrees to not run a third party campaign and wins the state primary vote, the RNC agrees to no dirty tricks to undermine him and they agree to fully support his campaign for President. The contract needs to be in writing and must have a huge penalty provision for breaching the agreement.

[WENDLE]

The issue is now— will the RINOS go third party? They are totally finished in our REPUBLICAN party ,now headed by the greatest American leader since George Washington. Donald TRUMP. Read it and weep!!

[LS]

I said at the time of the debates the real third party danger was Bush. Needless to say, if Trump is the nominee, they won’t lift a finger to help him win. We’ll have to do that ourselves.

[Bobalu]

must have a huge penalty provision for breaching the agreement

must have a YUGE penalty provision for breaching the agreement

[VerySadAmerican]

Read the UPDATE — 6:20 p.m. ET: Hugh Hewitt asked Trump about The Huffington Post story on his radio show Wednesday evening. Trump said that ruling out a third-party run is “not something” he would want to do at this time.

[Georgia Girl 2]

He has to take the oath by the end of Sept to get on the SC ballot. Hugh Hewitt reminded Trump today in an interview that he will likely see another bump up in the polls when he takes the pledge. I agree.