Real estate mogul and reality show star Donald Trump intends to endorse Newt Gingrichs GOP presidential bid according to a source close to Gingrichs campaign.
Trump is set to announce his support Thursday in Las Vegas where Gingrich is campaigning in advance of Nevadas Republican caucuses on Saturday.
Trumps backing would bring the former House speaker a blitz of media attention heading into the contest and following his defeat in Florida.
Trump announced Wednesday that he was to make news in the presidential race but did not say what it was.
Asked about the possible endorsement Wednesday in Reno Nev. Gingrich said he had no idea what the Donald is going to do.
He is always interesting Gingrich said of Trump. And I dont know of anybody who does a better job of getting attention by announcing that he will presently announce something.
Gingrich sought Trumps endorsement at a meeting in December at the real estate moguls Trump Tower office in Manhattan. There Gingrich told reporters he had persuaded Trump to mentor promising children from some of New Yorks poorest schools.
The former House speaker had come under fire for suggesting poor children should do janitorial chores in their schools to learn the value of work.
Gingrich also agreed to appear in a Republican debate Trump was to host in Iowa in December. But other candidates including frontrunner Mitt Romney turned down the debate forcing Trump to cancel.
Trump had flirted with the idea of jumping in the presidential race as a third-party candidate but ultimately decided not to.
Appearing on CBS Face The Nation on Sunday Trump praised Gingrich.
Hes got great ideas. Hes very smart hes very tough and he is a great debater he said.
Gingrich was pounded by Romney in Florida in Tuesdays Republican primary. Romney is considered a heavy favorite in Nevada a state he won when he sought the GOP nomination in 2008.?
The source was not authorized to speak for the campaign and spoke on condition of anonymity. The endorsement was first reported by KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.
Associated Press Writer Beth Fouhy in Las Vegas contributed to this story.
Real estate mogul and reality show star Donald Trump intends to endorse Newt Gingrichs GOP presidential bid according to a source close to Gingrichs campaign.
Trump is set to announce his support Thursday in Las Vegas where Gingrich is campaigning in advance of Nevadas Republican caucuses on Saturday.
Trumps backing would bring the former House speaker a blitz of media attention heading into the contest and following his defeat in Florida.
Trump announced Wednesday that he was to make news in the presidential race but did not say what it was.
Asked about the possible endorsement Wednesday in Reno Nev. Gingrich said he had no idea what the Donald is going to do.
He is always interesting Gingrich said of Trump. And I dont know of anybody who does a better job of getting attention by announcing that he will presently announce something.
Gingrich sought Trumps endorsement at a meeting in December at the real estate moguls Trump Tower office in Manhattan. There Gingrich told reporters he had persuaded Trump to mentor promising children from some of New Yorks poorest schools.
The former House speaker had come under fire for suggesting poor children should do janitorial chores in their schools to learn the value of work.
Gingrich also agreed to appear in a Republican debate Trump was to host in Iowa in December. But other candidates including frontrunner Mitt Romney turned down the debate forcing Trump to cancel.
Trump had flirted with the idea of jumping in the presidential race as a third-party candidate but ultimately decided not to.
Appearing on CBS Face The Nation on Sunday Trump praised Gingrich.
Hes got great ideas. Hes very smart hes very tough and he is a great debater he said.
Gingrich was pounded by Romney in Florida in Tuesdays Republican primary. Romney is considered a heavy favorite in Nevada a state he won when he sought the GOP nomination in 2008.?
The source was not authorized to speak for the campaign and spoke on condition of anonymity. The endorsement was first reported by KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.
Associated Press Writer Beth Fouhy in Las Vegas contributed to this story.
