Donald Trump set the ball rolling yesterday on a possible bid to become US president – but insisted the move would not interfere with plans for a major expansion of his north-east golf resort.
The New York-based tycoon revealed he was setting up a presidential exploratory committee – one step short of launching a formal campaign to be the next occupant of the White House.
But it means the outspoken Republican can now start raising money and hiring staff.
He made the announcement the day after he unveiled multimillion-pound plans to expand the Trump International Golf Links, Scotland complex at his Menie Estate near Balmedie.
The businessman is submitting proposals to Aberdeenshire Council for a second 18-hole attraction at the site – the MacLeod Course – along with a 400-capacity ballroom and banquet hall and a 30-room staff accommodation building.
There are also plans to create extra hotel rooms to supplement what is already on offer at five-star MacLeod House and Lodge.
Speaking last night, Mr Trump said his political aspirations would not affect the running of the Menie Estate, or his other Scottish course, the Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire.
He said: “It will have no impact whatsoever on the business, George Sorial (executive vice-president of the Trump Organisation) and my children are totally focused on the job.”
In a statement announcing the establishment of the committee, he said: “I am the only one who can make America truly great again.”
Mr Trump has hinted at a desire to run for president for years.
Meanwhile, north-east hotelier Stewart Spence – who runs Aberdeen’s only five-star hotel, the Marcliffe – welcomed the plans for the expansion of Mr Trump’s resort.
Mr Spence said: “I had dinner with him in October in New York and he was telling me all about it.
“I think it is a fantastic addition to the north-east, I really do, and I have seen the ballrooms in his hotels in America – they are stunning, absolutely stunning.
“Knowing the way he does things, there won’t be anything like it in the north-east.
“I am so pleased that he has decided to carry on investing in the resort because it means so much to the north-east of Scotland.”