
 
 Businessman Donald Trump speaks to guests at the Iowa Freedom Summit on January 24, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. The summit is hosting a group of potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates to discuss core conservative principles ahead of the January 2016 Iowa Caucuses. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) 
 
 Real estate mogul and reality TV personality Donald Trump on Friday sought to paint himself as a Washington outsider ready for the national stage. 
 
 But in a question-and-answer session with Fox News host Sean Hannity following his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, he fell back to a familiar pattern: questioning whether President Obama was born in the United States: 
 
 "Hey look, [the president] wrote a book when he was a young man and it said ‘born in Kenya,’ blah blah blah. I don’t know where he was born. I would like to see his college records, I think that’s important. 
 
 As far as the birth certificate, Hillary Clinton wanted his birth certificate. Hillary is a birther. She wanted it but she wasn’t able to get it. John McCain fought really hard and really viciously to get his birth certificate. John McCain failed. Couldn’t get it. Trump comes along – and I’m not a sitting senator, I’m not a sitting anything else, I’m a good businessman – but Trump comes along and I said, ‘Birth certificate.’ He gave a birth certificate. 
 
 Whether or not that was a real certificate, because a lot of people question it, I certainly question it—but Hillary Clinton wanted it, McCain wanted it, and I wanted it. He didn’t do it for them, he did it for me. So in one sense I’m proud of it. Now all we have to do is find out whether or not it’s real.” 
 
 Trump has signaled in recent days that he is seriously considering a bid for the White House in 2016. During an interview Wednesday with The Post's Robert Costa, Trump said he is "'more serious' than ever” and is beginning to build a political campaign staff. 
 
 "Washington is totally broken and it's not going to get fixed unless we put the right person in that top position. It's just not going to happen," he told the crowd of conservative activists Friday. "I'm not a politician, thank goodness. Politicians are all talk, no action. I’ve dealt with them all my life." 
 
 While Trump has developed a formidable brand centered on his standing as a business mogul, he has struggled in the past to be taken seriously as a potentially political candidate. That is at least in part because of his frequent – and sometimes off-color – feuds with prominent political leaders and celebrities alike. 
 
 But his past remarks about the president's citizenship have made other conservatives deeply uneasy with his candidacy. 
 
 During his speech Friday, Trump went through a litany of topics, including his opposition to Common Core education standards, his support for tougher position against Iran, and infrastructure development. 
 
 The business mogul was most aggressive in his criticism of administration's management of the fight against the Islamic State, saying the president “doesn’t know what he’s doing.” 
 
 "On ISIS, nobody, if I decide to run and win, nobody would be tougher than Donald Trump. I would hit them so hard and so fast that they wouldn't know what happened. I would find a general. Remember the old days of…these great generals?" he said. "General [Douglas] MacArthur is spinning in his grave when he sees what we did. So you gotta them hard, gotta hit them firm." ||||| Businessman and reality TV personality Donald Trump is reportedly gearing up to launch a presidential exploratory committee Wednesday, a senior adviser told the New Hampshire Union Leader. 
 
 The formation of an exploratory committee is Trump's most decisive step yet toward running for the GOP presidential nomination, which he has flirted with for years. Trumps announcement comes ahead of a Thursday visit to New Hampshire, a key early voting state. 
 
 Trump began signaling last month that he was seriously considering a 2016 presidential bid. Ahead of a possible run, Trump addressed conservative activists last month at the Conservative Political Action Committee, where he sought to present himself as a Washington outsider with the business acumen to run the country. 
 
 "Washington is totally broken and it's not going to get fixed unless we put the right person in that top position. It's just not going to happen," he said at the time. "I'm not a politician, thank goodness. Politicians are all talk, no action. I’ve dealt with them all my life." 
 
 Real estate mogul Donald Trump is reportedly forming an exploratory committee to determine whether to run for president in 2016. (Reuters) 
 
 The Union Leader also reports that Trump will walk away from his hit reality show, “The Apprentice,” in order to focus on his presidential bid. The report also said Trump has begun hiring staff. 
 
 Despite his enviable name recognition and powerful brand, Trump has struggled to be taken seriously in the political arena. That is at least in part due to his high-profile feuds with various celebrities and politicians. 
 
 During Trump’s speech at CPAC, the businessman repeated past accusations that President Obama may not have been born in the United States during a question and answer session with Sean Hannity. Obama was born in Hawaii, and released his birth certificate in 2011. ||||| Perennially potential GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump may not be a trail veteran, but he knows his way around a high-stakes feud or two. Herein, as he weighs a 2016 presidential bid, a roundup of some of the highlights: 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Arianna Huffington 
 
 .@ariannahuff is unattractive both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man- he made a good decision. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2012 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Rosie O’Donnell 
 
 I feel sorry for Rosie 's new partner in love whose parents are devastated at the thought of their daughter being with @Rosie--a true loser. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2011 
 
 @realDonaldTrump - wow u r an ass http://t.co/aL3WQ0cL in every way - — Rosie (@Rosie) December 14, 2011 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Lawrence O’Donnell 
 
 @realDonaldTrump What else did I predict? Something about u? Like the exact day u would reveal that u were not running. That was so easy. — Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) October 25, 2011 
 
 @realDonaldTrump I assume you're still afraid of coming on my show. Don't worry, we will light your hair any way you want. — Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) October 25, 2011 
 
 I only go on shows that get ratings, that's why I do @oreillyfactor, @hannityshow, and @gretawire. Your sho… (cont) http://t.co/JDTtCnju — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2011 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Rosie O’Donnell and Lawrence O’Donnell 
 
 - Donald Trump versus the Today Show 
 
 The TODAY Show should call me about who to put on the show— I know more about people who get ratings than anyone. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2012 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Barack Obama 
 
 I am starting to think that there is something seriously wrong with President Obama's mental health. Why won't he stop the flights. Psycho! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2014 
 
 - Actually that one goes back a few years… 
 
 An 'extremely credible source' has called my office and told me that @BarackObama's birth certificate is a fraud. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2012 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Cher and Rosie O’Donnell (in defense of Mitt Romney) 
 
 .@Cher attacked @MittRomney. She is an average talent who is out of touch with reality. Like @Rosie O'Donnell, a total loser! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2012 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Mitt Romney 
 
 Romney campaign used me in 6 primary states and won every one- they should have used me in Florida and Ohio & he would be President. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2012 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Cher 
 
 I’ll NEVER GO TO MACY’S AGAIN ! I didnt know they sold Donald Trump’s Line! If they don’t care that they sell products from a LOUDMOUTH — Cher (@cher) November 12, 2012 
 
 RACIST CRETIN,WHO’D LIE LIKE “HIS RUG”TO GET SOME CHEAP PRESS ! I CANT BELIEVE MACY’S THINKS HE’S THE RIGHT “MAN” 2 REPRESENT THEIR NAME ! — Cher (@cher) November 12, 2012 
 
 .@cher should spend more time focusing on her family and dying career! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2012 
 
 .@cher--I don’t wear a “rug”—it’s mine. And I promise not to talk about your massive plastic surgeries that didn’t work. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2012 
 
 - Donald Trump Versus Russell Brand + Katy Perry 
 
 I watched Russell Brand @rustyrockets on the @jimmyfallon show the other night—what the hell do people see in Russell—a major loser! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2014 
 
 .@katyperry must have been drunk when she married Russell Brand @rustyrockets – but he did send me a really nice letter of apology! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2014 
 
 .@realDonaldTrump are you drunk when you write these tweets? Or does that foam you spray on your bald head make you high? — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) October 16, 2014 
 
 - Donald Trump versus John Mayer (+ Katy Perry?) 
 
 .@katyperry is no bargain but I don't like John Mayer--he dates and tells--be careful Katy (just watch!). — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, 2012 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Jay Leno 
 
 Jay Leno and his people are constantly calling me to go on his show. My answer is always no because his show sucks. They love my ratings! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2013 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Ebola volunteers 
 
 The U.S. cannot allow EBOLA infected people back. People that go to far away places to help out are great-but must suffer the consequences! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2014 
 
 - Donald Trump versus Neil Patrick Harris 
 
 Is it the Neil Patrick Harris show or the Emmy Awards?How was he ever put in this position to start with? CRAZY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2013 
 
 - Donald Trump versus the confines of the Twitterverse ||||| FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2014 file photo, Donald Trump speaks in Des Moines, Iowa. Trump announced plans Wednesday to form a presidential exploratory committee. "I am the only one who can make America... (Associated Press) 
 
 "I am the only one who can make America truly great again," the Republican businessman and reality television star declared in a statement announcing the move. 
 
 While a step short of a formal campaign launch, the formation of an exploratory allows him to begin raising money and hire staff as he weighs a White House bid. Trump said he's already hired political aides in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, which host the first three contests on the presidential nominating calendar. 
 
 "I have a great love for our country, but it is a country that is in serious trouble," Trump said in a wide-ranging statement that called for rebuilding the nation's infrastructure, improving border security, strengthening the military and improving the economy. "Americans deserve better than what they get from their politicians who are all talk and no action." 
 
 The outspoken Republican has long hinted at presidential aspirations, but he appears more serious this time. He recently said he would not renew his contract with NBC for his reality show, "The Apprentice." 
 
 Trump is scheduled to appear in New Hampshire later in the week.
– Last we heard from Donald Trump he was embroiled in battle with a "malicious" Florida airport, but it appears he's now set his sights on a loftier goal: considering a 2016 POTUS run, the AP reports. Trump, who has hinted at running in the past, announced today that he'll be launching a presidential exploratory committee, contending in a statement that "I am the only one who can make America truly great again." He says he's already recruited political aides in Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire (where he's set to make the rounds later this week) and has an advisory team set up in New York, the New Hampshire Union Leader notes. The Donald has even reportedly turned down another season of NBC's The Apprentice: "Nobody in the history of television has turned down a renewal," Trump's senior political adviser tells the Union Leader. Trump's priorities if he were to assume the US helm, per his statement: improving border security, boosting the economy, powering up the military, and rebuilding US infrastructure. "I have a great love for our country, but it is a country that is in serious trouble," he says. "Americans deserve better than what they get from their politicians—who are all talk and no action!" As the Washington Post notes, Trump will have to overcome certain perception hurdles, such as his constant Twitter fights with other luminaries and his continued insistence that President Obama prove he was born in the US (he brought it up again at last month's CPAC, per the Post). Trump retweeted messages of support today, including one fan who posted, "@realDonaldTrump the thought of you becoming president of the United States is the only thing that gives me hope for this country's future." (If he does run, will it be as an independent, a Republican, or … something else?)