The Federal Election Commission has received Donald Trump’s Statement of Candidacy, meaning he has officially entered the presidential race. Amid speculation that Trump’s candidacy was solely a publicity stunt, his form was hand delivered to the FEC.
The cable news television stations airing early debates among the Republican Party’s presidential candidates would have barred Trump from appearing had he not filed with the FEC. Among the major GOP candidates, only former Texas Gov. Rick Perry took longer than Trump to submit his paperwork, which Perry filed on Friday. Candidates or campaigns must file the Statement of Candidacy within 15 days of collecting $5,000.
When declaring his candidacy last week, Trump said, “I’m not using donors, I don’t care, I’m really rich.” But Trump’s campaign began collecting donations last week. Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s campaign manager, told the Washington Examiner on Friday that the campaign had already accepted thousands of dollars in donations.
Lewandowski said to expect Trump’s personal financial disclosure for the FEC soon, but that Trump’s vast fortune made it more difficult to produce the form than for other candidates who had entered the race. If Trump maintains his current poll position, the man who boasted that he would serve as the “greatest jobs president that God ever created” may take the debate stage this August.
