Real estate mogul Donald Trump , a day after announcing he 'll form a presidential exploratory committee , told activists on Thursday his business experience makes him the best candidate to reform Washington . 'We need people in Washington that know how to make a deal , ' said Trump , who is considering a bid for the Republican nomination . Trump spoke at the home of New Hampshire state Rep. Steve Stepanek . Although Trump 's critics say he would bring an unflattering and circus-like atmosphere to Republican politics , many people in the crowd said they appreciate the reality TV star 's willingness to say exactly what he thinks . PRESIDENT 'THE DONALD ' ? Trump is shaking all the right hands in New Hampshire , an important early primary state , as he makes the case that he should run for the White House . I 'M HIRING MYSELF : Trump was stumping for other candidates but his political operatives have told Daily Mail Online that he 's serious about self-financing a his own campaign . ' A man that has the ability to handle the press , play with them and hold his ground , I have tremendous respect for that , ' said Lori Davis , vice president of the GOP committee in Weare . 'He 's not afraid . ' Trump has repeatedly flirted with a presidential run , but he has recently begun hiring staff in early voting states , including New Hampshire . He did not stop to speak with reporters after the event Thursday but said as he got into a black SUV that he has a 'better chance than anybody ' of beating former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton , the Democratic favorite for the nomination . Trump shook a few hands as he headed toward the door rather than staying to mingle with the crowd of state lawmakers and activists . Earlier in the day , he attended private meetings with a group of New Hampshire veterans and Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas . Trump 's pitch to the crowd centered on his career as a businessman . Unlike some of his potential Republican rivals , he said , he would not cut entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicaid . ' I would make this country so rich that you would n't have to cut it , ' he said . HILLARY WHO ? He said he 's the best-positioned Republican to send Hillary Clinton packing in 2016 . Trump also suggested to the crowd that Wall Street financiers – he called many of them 'horrible people ' – would negotiate better on the world stage than existing U.S. diplomats . His comments reflected the brash style that many in the audience said they 'd like to see more of in Washington . ' I not only like it , I admire it , ' said Randy Heller , an independent voter from Barrington . 'Many great men have high self-confidence . '
'The Donald ' is expected to make an earnest run for president after flirting with the idea in 2012 . 'We need people in Washington that know how to make a deal , ' said the business titan . Critics do n't like the circus atmosphere a Trump candidacy might bring , but supporters say he 's self-confident and plain-spoken .