Donald Trump says he wants to run for president as a Republican, not as an independent — but the latter option may depend on how well the GOP handles him.
"I do not want to do independent at all," Trump said Friday on MSNBC's Morning Joe. "Now," he added, "if I'm treated poorly, that's one thing. If I'm treated well and with great respect and don't win, I would not do that — but if I'm treated poorly, I will do it."
Trump, who is leading in early Republican polls, says his goal is to win the party's nomination, and he told MSNBC that "I want to run as a Republican. I'm leading every poll. That may change. Who knows?"
Political analysts are already assessing how a Trump third-party bid — presumably self-financed — might affect a more traditional Republican-Democratic general election.
The billionaire businessman did not specify what he meant by good or bad treatment, but he did speak kindly of the Republican National Committee.
"We've had great communication," Trump said. "They are treating me with tremendous respect because they see what I'm doing … the RNC has been very, very nice and respectful."
