Donald Trump had long hinted at a presidential run before actually embarking upon one, and a new Frontline documentary zeros in on the moment his thoughts likely turned toward action.
Donald Trump had long hinted at a presidential run before actually embarking upon one, and a new Frontline documentary zeros in on the moment his thoughts likely turned toward action.
It occurred on April 30, 2011 as Trump sat among the crowd at a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
He had recently alleged that President Obama was not born in the U.S., and demanded proof of the leader’s national origins.
The president not only provided such evidence in the form of a birth certificate, but, days later at the dinner, made Trump the subject of a series of jabs.
Among them was a question as to the type of change Trump would make if he ever secured the high office.
Obama’s ponderings were accompanied by a picture of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue emblazoned with the sign, "Trump White House Resort and Casino."
According to people close to Trump, the jokes at his expense served as his propelling moment.
Roger Stone, one of Trump’s advisers, commented, “I think that is the night that he resolves to run for president. I think that he is kind of motivated by it: ‘Maybe I’ll just run. Maybe I’ll show them all.’”
The documentary, ‘The Choice 2016,' airs on PBS the night of September 27.