Ivanka Trump gives birth to daughter in NYC (AP)

NEW YORK – She's been a model, a jewelry designer and a judge on her father's TV show "The Apprentice." Now add mother to the list of Ivanka Trump's job titles.

Trump announced the birth of her first child Sunday in New York City via Twitter.

She says she and husband Jared Kushner "welcomed a beautiful and healthy little girl into the world." No name was announced.

Kushner is the owner of the New York Observer newspaper. He and Trump wed in 2009. She converted to Judaism before the wedding.

The baby is the third grandchild for real estate mogul Donald Trump. Ivanka Trump's brother Donald Trump Jr. and his wife, Vanessa, have a daughter and a son.

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Factbox: Business History Reveals Horrors of a Trump Presidency (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | It was the announcement that shocked no one. At an NBC event to announce its new fall lineup Monday, Donald Trump announced that he would not run in the 2012 presidential election, according to CNN. Trump originally told media that his announcement would follow the season finale of his prime time show, "Celebrity Apprentice." The early announcement likely would have soothed fidgety advertisers not sure about signing on for the coming season if Trump bailed on his show.

The reason Trump's announcement went as expected by most Americans is that he never had any intention of being a serious candidate. Why would he? He would have to disclose what has, up until now, been private financial information. He would have to give up many of his business dealings and divest himself of several investments. He would have to serve the financial needs of the country rather than his own. He would have to clean up his mouth and learn diplomacy -- something Trump has never been good at. He would have to work with others, both those who do and do not agree with his policies. He would have to make sound financial decisions -- another skill Trump sorely lacks.

But wait a minute, you might say. Trump is a brilliant businessman. His name is all over buildings around the world. He's one of the world's richest men. Isn't he? Here's a short history of Donald Trump and his business acumen:

* When Trump took over his father's company, Elizabeth Trump and Son, as CEO, his first task was removing his grandmother's name from the company and renaming it The Trump Organization.

* Trump's penchant for highly leveraged real estate deals left him unable to meet his financial obligations starting around 1988. By 1989, the only financing he could obtain was through high-interest rate junk bonds, which he continued to issue even after it was clear that he would not be able to make interest payments on his current debt.

* In 1991, at $3.8 billion in debt, Time reports Trump was forced by his creditors, including bond-holders, to dismantle most of his real estate holdings to begin to repay some of his debt. He dangled on the edge of personal bankruptcy but was able to come to terms with creditors on every holding except the Taj Mahal casino, which filed for bankruptcy protection. When the Taj Mahal re-emerged from bankruptcy, Trump had lost half-ownership in it to the bond-holders.

* In 1992, the Trump Plaza Hotel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and lost 49 percent ownership in the complex.

* By 1994, Trump had sold off much of his real estate in order to settle almost a billion dollars in personal debt and $3.5 billion in business debt.

* In 2002, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Inc. for improper and misleading statements on its 1999 earnings release. The case was settled privately.

* In 2004, Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts once again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Trump was forced to give up another 29 percent of his ownership in the company to bond-holders to restructure. His ownership of the company dropped to 27 percent and he stepped down as CEO.

* In 2008, Trump became embroiled in a lawsuit with Deutsche Bank over the financing of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago. Sales of the units were sluggish due to the real estate crisis, and Trump stopped payments on his loan, invoking a clause in his contract. Both parties came to an agreement to allow the project to continue; it is still not 100 percent sold yet.

* In 2009, Trump Entertainment Resorts filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and Trump was forced to vacate the Board of Directors.

* Trump estimates his own net worth at tens of billions of dollars, stating that he does his valuations "in his head." Deutsche Bank estimated his net worth at $788 million in 2005. Trump lost a libel suit against a writer for estimating his net worth at $150 to $250 million, according to the New York Post.

With four business failures to his name, the loss of much of the ownership of his "empire" and continuing pomposity toward his own skills and abilities, the announcement Monday may have shocked no one, but certainly resulted in a collective sigh of relief in both Republican and Democrat circles. Trump got two free months of publicity for his television show and the American public got something more important: a terrifying glimpse of what the Donald might do if he got a hold of the federal coffers.

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Donald Trump says will not run for U.S. President (Reuters)

BOSTON (Reuters) – Billionaire real estate magnate Donald Trump said on Monday that he will not run for the White House in 2012.

The host of reality TV show "Celebrity Apprentice" said the decision came after "considerable deliberation and reflection" after weeks of an unofficial campaign.

"I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election," Trump said in a statement.

(Reporting by Ros Krasny, editing by Sandra Maler)

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Trump says no to presidential run (AP)

By DAVID BAUDER and BETH FOUHY, Associated Press David Bauder And Beth Fouhy, Associated Press – Mon May 16, 3:26 pm ET

NEW YORK – After months of flirting with politics, Donald Trump said Monday he won't run for president, choosing to stick with hosting "The Celebrity Apprentice" over a bid for the Republican nomination.

The reality TV star and real estate mogul made his announcement at a Manhattan hotel as NBC, which airs his show, rolled out its fall lineup.

"I will not be running for president as much as I'd like to," Trump said.

Trump's office released a formal statement just as he was taking the stage. In it, a confident Trump said he felt he could win the Republican primary and beat President Barack Obama in the general election but had come to realize a presidential campaign could not be run half-heartedly.

"Ultimately, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector," Trump said.

Several Republicans are seeking the nomination in a race that lacks a clear front-runner. Among the top hopefuls are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The GOP is still waiting to hear whether Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin or Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann will get in the race.

Trump has floated the idea of a presidential candidacy in both 1988 and 2000 but claimed he was more serious than ever this time, citing the weak economy and the sense that the United States was in decline. Some public opinion polls showed him leading the slow-to-coalesce Republican field.

In the past few months, he delivered speeches to national GOP groups and traveled to early primary states like New Hampshire and Nevada. During that time, he reignited the so-called "birther" controversy by perpetuating falsehoods about Obama's birth place, insisting that questions were unanswered about whether the president was born in Hawaii. He amassed admiration from many on the far right who have insisted Obama was born overseas and, thus, wasn't eligible to serve as president.

Obama finally distributed his long-form birth certificate earlier this month, indirectly casting Trump as a carnival barker and the controversy as a sideshow. Trump took credit for the release even though it robbed his candidacy of its signature issue.

Obama retaliated days later in his monologue at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, where he poked fun at the birth certificate controversy and mocked Trump and his television show. A stone-faced Trump heard the barbs from both Obama and comedian Seth Meyers. A day later, NBC interrupted the airing of Trump's show with word of an Obama announcement — within 45 minutes the president informed the nation and the world that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden had been killed.

Whatever buzz over a Trump candidacy was left fully faded.

Trump would have brought to the race both celebrity and the no-holds-barred criticism of Obama that many Republicans are hungry for in a GOP nominee. But, as it has for months, Trump's participation also could have made the GOP nomination fight a less serious affair, seeming small by comparison to Obama and his presidency.

Trump is the second Republican in a matter of days to say no to a bid for the GOP nomination. Mike Huckabee announced Saturday that he wouldn't seek the presidency.

At the Hilton hotel in New York, NBC said that "The Celebrity Apprentice" would be coming back in midseason. But Bob Greenblatt, the head of NBC entertainment, said the only mystery would be whether Trump was host.

Trump said the show has made a lot of money for charity and that he wanted to continue as host.

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Donald Trump says will not run for US President (Reuters)

BOSTON (Reuters) – Billionaire real estate magnate Donald Trump said on Monday that he will not run for the White House in 2012.

The host of reality TV show "Celebrity Apprentice" said the decision came after "considerable deliberation and reflection" after weeks of an unofficial campaign.

"I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election," Trump said in a statement.

(Reporting by Ros Krasny, editing by Sandra Maler)

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Should NBC Fire "Birther" Donald Trump? (ContributorNetwork)

So, Should NBC Fire The Donald?

NBC has the power to discontinue Donald Trump's association with their network by canceling "The Apprentice", and they should exercise that right as quickly as possible.

Perhaps they aren't firing him for the simple reason that this entire debacle is a publicity stunt. While he's not discussing "The Apprentice", everyone else is. He has gained free publicity on every network, and every online news agency. If it is a publicity stunt, I am calling it a failure. The Donald's credibility as a really smart guy, for me at least, is shot.

But they shouldn't fire him for his political affiliations, necessarily. They can ignore that particular issue, if they prefer, with a standard disclaimer that Donald Trump's opinions are his own and do not represent the network's position. That would easily suffice to keep a political distance.

No, they should fire Donald Trump due to serious concerns about his stability and ability to continue filming the program. Donald Trump's reality show, whether fake or not, is based upon giving people, both everyday Americans and celebrities, a chance to show him their business savvy and ultimately land a job.

Do you want a chance to work with the most brilliant business man since ... well... ever, if you believe The Donald's hype? If you do, I would suggest applying to work for someone other than Donald Trump. After all, as an employee of Donald Trump, you may be required to work for him in many capacities. When Jerry Seinfeld withdrew his agreement to appear at a charity event due to his lack of comfort with Donald Trump's recent behavior, that spot was filled by the winner of the most recent season of "Celebrity Apprentice"; Brett Michaels.

Donald Trump's inability to answer even basic questions concerning the policies of our nation proves that he is not as brilliant as the general public has been led to believe. He is the court jester of the current Republican base. For that reason alone, he is no longer qualified to lead the cast of his high-powered, board room centered TV show.

Finally, isn't one Charlie Sheen is enough in Network TV? On the up side, if NBC gets a clue and cuts Donald Trump loose, giving him more time to pursue his new political career, perhaps Mr. Sheen would make the perfect running mate.

Source: Personal Opinion

More from this contributor:

Qualities of an Effective Manager

10 Things to Remember when Interviewing for a Job

First Person: You've Been Served

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Most voters say "no" to Palin or Trump in 2012 (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Nearly 60 percent of Americans would never support a Republican presidential bid by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin or real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump, according to a new poll on Wednesday.

Trump, who has been testing the waters for a possible 2012 run for the Republican presidential nomination, has said he would announce something before June -- after his reality TV show, "Celebrity Apprentice," ends its season on May 22.

Palin was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and is keeping her supporters guessing on whether she will run.

The Quinnipiac University poll of 1,408 voters found that about half would consider or be enthusiastic about backing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney or former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in the November 2012 election.

"Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are in the best shape. Sarah Palin and Donald Trump suffer from the reality that, as our mothers told us, 'You never get a second chance to make a first impression,'" said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Among the 613 Republican and independent Republican-leaning voters, the poll showed Romney as favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination with 18 percent, followed by Huckabee and Palin with 15 percent and Trump with 12 percent.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich each have 5 percent, while former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann and both on 4 percent.

The margin of error for that subset was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The telephone poll, conducted between April 16 and May 1, was released on the eve of a debate in South Carolina among a handful of potential Republican candidates, none of them high-profile names.

The error margin for the larger group was 2.6 points.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

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Donald Trump Congratulates President Obama on 'Great Victory'

In what may be seen as a grand gesture of mea culpa, Donald Trump took to Twitter to congratulate Barack Obama for his administration's victory in the takedown of Osama Bin Laden.

Although Trump's recent focus has been on Obama's origins, it seems as though Obama took his time in producing a copy of his birth certificate do to a slight preoccupation with a global endeavor -- capturing the man responsible for the events of September 11, 2001.

"I want to personally congratulate President Obama and the men women of the Armed Forces for a job very well done," Trump tweeted. "I am so proud to see Americans standing shoulder to shoulder, waving the American flag in celebration of this great victory."

"We should spend the next several days not debating party politics, but in remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and those fighting for our freedom," he continued. "God Bless America."

But Trump's validation of the president's efforts were given a backseat to the touting of his golf special -- "Don't forget to watch Donald J. Trump's Fabulous World of Golf---tonight at 9 pm" -- about which he tweeted just minutes before congratulating the president.

For a man who has become, for some, a serious potential contender in the 2012 presidential election, it seems as though his priorities are a bit out of whack.

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Donald Trump Lashes Out at Jerry Seinfeld Over Charity Event

All is not well between Donald Trump and Jerry Seinfeld. The comedian reportedly pulled out from an event appearance and Trump called him out in an open letter.

According to Page Six, Seinfeld was scheduled to attend a Sept. 13 event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Eric Trump Foundation. However, he has since canceled his appearance due to Trump's negative remarks about President Obama.

"I just learned you canceled a show for my son's charity," Trump wrote to Seinfeld, "because of the fact that I am being very aggressive with respect to President Obama, who is doing an absolutely terrible job as our leader."

Trump, who is considering a 2012 presidential run, didn't stop reprimanding the comedian there.
"We don't care that you broke your commitment," he continued, "even though the children of St. Jude are very disappointed, and despite the fact that your manager clearly stated you are 'truly a man of his word.'"

Adding insult to injury, Trump took a shot at Seinfeld's NBC show, 'The Marriage Ref,' which Trump appeared on last year.

"What I do feel badly about is that I agreed to do, and did, your failed show, 'The Marriage Ref,' even though I thought it was absolutely terrible," Trump wrote. "Despite its poor ratings, I didn't cancel on you like you canceled on my son and St. Jude. I only wish I did."

A rep for Seinfeld said he agreed to appear at the event before Trump began questioning the authenticity of Obama's birth certificate. However, "Jerry has grown increasingly uncomfortable" with the 'Apprentice' head honcho.

"Jerry ... feels this kind of demagoguery has no place in public discourse," said the rep. "He has respectfully withdrawn from the event, and is making a contribution both to the Eric Trump Foundation and to

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Melania Trump Wants to See Obama's Birth Certificate: 'Does He Have It?'

Melania Trump will stand by her husband whether he decides to run for president or not, but the model-turned-jewelry designer isn't about to reveal which way The Donald is leaning. "It's too soon," she told me this week, noting that he has to wait until 'Celebrity Apprentice' finishes its run. "Of course we talk about it and I'll support him no matter what he decides."

The possible First Lady also has her husband's back when it comes to the issue he's getting the most mileage out of lately: President Barack Obama's birth certificate. She strongly defends Donald's focus on the hot-button topic and assures he's not alone in his suspicion.

"Well, I think it's not only my husband that wants to see the birth certificate," she said. "I think it's a lot of American people who voted for him and who didn't vote for President Obama. They want to see it."
Melania says people are just downright frustrated. "They ask him where it is and why he doesn't show it. Does he have it? Where is it? Why not show it? What's the big deal? I could show my birth certificate. What's the problem?"

She told me she keeps 5-year-old son Barron's certificate in a drawer near his passport!

Hawaii state officials swear that they have inspected Obama's original document and a copy, the Certification of Live Birth, was released during the presidential campaign.

Even so, Donald has taken up the birth certificate, making it one of his favorite issues while hitting the interview circuit. Just today, he called in to Fox News to say "I think I've made my decision" on running and he vowed to continue to talk about Obama's birth.

This focus on the issue has puzzled some, but its popularity doesn't surprise Melania. "So, the media really latched on to it. They really like that talk," she said. "But he's also for bringing jobs back and the economy and taking care of people that are working so hard and to bring this country back to where it once was."

Melania says the prospect of being First Lady and living in the White House is "something that's exciting but we never know what will happen."

And she lavished her possible predecessor with praise for her style and said she'd look great in her 'Melania' jewelry and timepieces line (which she's pitching on QVC on Monday, April 25 at 1 PM and 11 PM ET).

"Yes, she has very nice style! She would look great in my jewelry," she said. "Anybody, no matter who you are, the First Lady, your mom at home with a child, your a businesswoman. You can wear my jewelry."



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