Mr Donald Trump, the property magnate and reality television host, has declared his interest in running for President of the United States, saying that "somebody has to do something, because we are losing this country". The 64-year-old is tempted to spend a hefty portion of his estimated US$2 billion ($2.6 billion) fortune on a White House bid.
"For the first time in my life, I'm actually thinking about it," Mr Trump, who declared himself a Republican, told Fox News Channel.
He did not rule out the possibility of running under the banner of the Tea Party, the conservative movement that so far has been seen as a sub-group of the Republican Party.
The early front-runners for the Republican nomination include Mr Mitt Romney, who came a distant third to Mr John McCain in 2008, and Ms Sarah Palin, who may be a hero to conservatives but remains deeply divisive.
I heard him talking on Fox and Friends this morning. I think he's going to do it.
