Donald Trump pledged his support for whomever becomes the Republican Party’s nominee and agreed that he would not run as a third party or independent candidate on Thursday afternoon. He made his decision to sign a formal pledge public during a press conference at Trump Tower in New York City. Trump, the GOP’s front-runner for president, has long flirted with the idea of running as a third party or independent candidate, but explicitly ruled that out on Thursday.
He added that he expects the GOP will take back the White House if he becomes the nominee.
“The chairman just left as you know and he’s been extremely fair,” Trump said. “The best way for the Republicans to win is if I win the nomination and … for that reason I have signed the pledge. So I will be totally pledging my allegiance to the Republican Party and the conservative principles for which it stand.”
Trump met with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus this afternoon amid speculation that their meeting would focus on getting Trump’s unequivocal agreement to support the GOP nominee. Priebus did not appear at the press conference with Trump.
Trump has the best poll numbers nationally and in several early nominating states among the entire GOP field. He has previously avoided explicit statements indicating his support for the GOP nominee. During the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, Trump used the word “leverage” to describe why he had refused to necessarily support whomever the GOP candidate will become.
“If I’m the nominee, I will pledge I will not run as an independent,” Trump said at last month’s debate in Cleveland. “But — and I am discussing it with everybody, but I’m, you know, talking about a lot of leverage. We want to win, and we will win. But I want to win as the Republican. I want to run as the Republican nominee.”
The document Trump signed is not legally binding. Asked whether he would change his mind, Trump indicated he had “no intention” of doing so.
