Trump, with mild regret, welcomes press aboard his jet
DES MOINES — As Donald Trump hosted a dozen or so journalists aboard his private jet
“Be careful, fellas,” Trump said to TV crews cramped around him in the cabin. “There’s one guy very dangerous with that one camera. I’m talking and I’m watching that camera which is about this far from the ceiling, knowing that my day is going to be ruined if they ruin the ceiling.”
Trump flew out of New York City that morning at 6 a.m. to spend the day in Iowa, speaking to students at Simpson College before attending a $40-per-head meet and greet at a home in Ankeny.
But first, Trump opened his jet’s doors to journalists. His custom Boeing 757, the sort that could run you well north of $100 million, sat at Des Moines International Airport with “TRUMP” emblazoned on the side.
The press huddled around Trump near the back of the cabins lounge area — between two leather couches and a coffee table of dark wood.
They put to him the question many think of when they hear the real estate billionaire and reality TV star is mulling a run for the White House — something Trump’s done three times now without actually running: Why should Americans take you seriously?
“Well, I’m looking at it very, very seriously,” Trump said. “Our country’s in trouble. … Politicians are all talk, no action. I’m tired of watching them.”
But Trump is a businessman, Trump said, a successful one: Earlier this week he opened a new luxury tennis center, complete with chandeliers, at the Trump National Golf Club outside Washington. Serena Williams attended.
A Trump presidency, he said, would focus on ending nuclear proliferation, replacing the law known as Obamacare with a more affordable alternative, and bolstering support of America’s military.
“So I’m looking at it very seriously and if I decide to run and if I win, you will see a big change,” Trump said. “This country will become great again.”
Trump, 68, has spent three days in Iowa this caucus cycle, according to Register
So how a savvy business mind like Trump see a presidential bid as a worthwhile investment?
“I do well in polls and nobody thinks I’m running,” Trump said. He referred to a new poll released Monday of Republican voters that finds him ranked sixth out of 10 GOP candidates. “We may very well surprise a lot of people.”
Trump recently hired three Iowa-based operatives to work for his could-be campaign, he announced this week. They join Trump staffer Chuck Laudner, a 30-year Iowa GOP operative who helped Rick Santorum find caucus victory in 2012.
As questions ended on the plane, a camera stand tipped over and hit Trump’s coffee table.
“There we go. Told you. Who dropped it? Aw, come on fellas.”
No one said a word. “Who’s is it?” Trump asked again.
“It’s ours,” one journalist said, meekly.
“You know that just fell on my coffee table,” Trump said.
“Aw, I’m sorry,” said the journalist.
“You’re sorry?” Trump said. “I’m sorry, too.”