Trump Still Wont Rule Out Potential Third Party Run

NEW YORK — Donald Trump left the door open once again to a possible independent presidential bid, telling reporters that he had no plans to take the option off the table if the Republican nomination process did not go his way. The real estate mogul and reality television star made the comments during an appearance that touched on his growing interest in national politics, even as he continued to flirt with a run inside the GOP.

Trump has spent months dropping hints about a White House campaign, but his latest remarks suggested he was keeping his options flexible. He has criticized both parties in recent weeks and said he would not commit to staying loyal to the Republicans if he felt they were not giving him a fair shot. That stance drew quick pushback from some party strategists who already viewed him as too unpredictable for the nomination.

At the same time, Trump appeared to be testing the waters with voters who have grown tired of the usual two-party choices. He pointed to his business record and outsider status as reasons he could succeed where career politicians had failed. Those arguments have resonated in early polls among a slice of the electorate looking for something different ahead of the 2016 cycle.

Still, running as an independent has long been considered a long shot that could split the conservative vote and help Democrats. Trump did not seem overly concerned by those warnings during his April comments, instead framing his potential candidacy around his ability to win regardless of the label. Whether he follows through remains an open question, but the repeated refusal to close off the third-party route keeps the speculation alive.