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Trump May Legally Be a Candidate Already–Creating Potential Problems for NBC

May 4, 2011  •  Post A Comment

NBC said "nothing’s changed" after "Celebrity Apprentice" star Donald Trump said he has already decided “in his mind” to run for president, reports Bloomberg. That means that NBC is continuing to air the program, the story says.

Trump said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg that he plans to announce his candidacy, although an attorney contacted by Bloomberg said the distinction between a decision to run and a formal announcement isn’t legally relevant, the story says.

“When you’ve decided to run for office, and you’ve accepted or spent more than $5,000, you’re a candidate,” said Paul S. Ryan, an attorney with the Campaign Legal Center.

Trump has traveled to Iowa and New Hampshire, suggesting he has spent some funds considering a candidacy, the story says. That and NBC’s decision to continue airing "Celebrity Apprentice" could mean its affiliates will hear demands for equal air time from Trump rivals for the 2012 Republican nomination, the article points out.

 

2 Comments

  1. Not buying it. Lots of near-candidates have exploratory committees. As long as money is not raised, he’s not a candidate. I think Trump can be a self-funded dope without being candidate, especially if he has not petitioned to appear on any ballots! I’m tired of useful-idiot media sources quoting nonpartisan centers that turn out to be funded by George Soros, as is the CLC.

  2. “As long as money is not raised, he’s not a candidate.”
    Its good to hear from an attorney who specializes in such matters such as yourself on this. Otherwise, we’d all be left with the impression left by the attorney quoted in the piece (“…when you’ve decided to run for office, and you’ve accepted or spent more than $5,000, you’re a candidate…”). Clearly he has spent more than $5,000, and he’s indicated that he’s decided to run, so its good of you to correct that information by clarifying that he has to actually raise other people’s money. I’m sorry, where did you say your law practice was?

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