Donald Trump on Thursday signed a pledge saying he would support the eventual GOP presidential nominee and not run as a third-party candidate if he loses the Republican primary.
“I am pledging my allegiance to the Republican Party and the conservative principles for which it stands. We will fight hard and we will win. We have to make our country great again,” Trump said during a news conference at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.
The pledge was a reversal of the position he staked out during the first Republican debate on Aug. 6, when he was the only candidate who refused to rule out running as an independent in the general election.
The billionaire businessman changed his mind, he said, because the party has “treated me exceedingly well” since he has been leading in the polls.
“The best way for the Republicans to win is if I win the nomination and go directly against whoever they happen to put up, and for that reason I have signed the pledge,” Trump said, while vowing not to reverse course.
The announcement was made after Trump met with national GOP chairman Reince Priebus — and as a Monmouth University poll showed Trump pulling ahead with 30 percent of the Republican vote.
Retired surgeon Ben Carson placed second with 18 percent.
None of the other candidates broke double digits.
Also Thursday, onetime GOP favorite Jeb Bush told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he would back Trump if The Donald ended up as the GOP nominee.
Following his announcement, Trump addressed a crowd of about 150 reporters, supporters and curious passers-by on topics from Hillary Rodham Clinton’s performance as secretary of state to why Bush can’t win.
“She’s the worst secretary of state in the history of our country. Now, in all fairness, because of the agreement that’s about to be finalized with Iran, John Kerry may very well take her place.”
Bush — who has become Trump’s favorite target — got another hazing.
“Jeb Bush is a very nice man. I watched him this morning on television and it’s a little bit sad. Don’t forget, he was supposed to win. But he just doesn’t have the energy,” Trump said.
Trump took a shot as well at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who also signed the pledge while remarking that he didn’t need a visit from Priebus to convince him.
“You don’t have to be met when you’re at 2 percent,” Trump cracked.