NEW YORK, May 27 (UPI) —
U.S. business mogul Donald Trump has spent more than $1 million researching a potential run for president in 2016, the New York Post reported Monday.
Sources told the Post that Trump has been asked to speak at more Republican events, such as the Oakland County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner in Novi, Mich., last week that drew a crowd of 2,300.
"Everybody tells me, ‘Please run for president. Please run for president.’ I would be much happier if a great and competent person came along," Trump reportedly told those who attended the GOP event. "I’d be happy if President Obama did a great job. I’m a Republican, but before anything, I love this country. I would love to see somebody come in who is going to be great."
Trump, whose phrase "You’re fired" is heard on NBC’s "Apprentice" programming, entertained a White House bid last year against Obama, but ultimately didn’t enter the race, and said it was "highly unlikely" he’d consider a political run.
Michael Cohen, an executive vice president and special counsel to Trump, told the Post $1 million was spent commissioning election research into Trump’s standing in all states and gauge which states he would need to win.
"The electoral research was commissioned. We did not spend $1 million on this research for it just to sit on my bookshelf," Cohen said. "At this point Mr. Trump has not made any decision on a political run, but what I would say is that he is exactly what this country needs."
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