Surging GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich arrived at Trump Tower today and met with real estate mogul and “Apprentice” star Donald Trump.
After the two met privately, Trump said, “It’s amazing how well he’s doing, how he resonates with so many people.”
In Iowa, home to the first GOP contest, Gingrich is now the frontrunner at 28 percent to 19 percent for Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, according to a NBC/Marist College poll out last night.
But Gingrich hasn’t landed Trump’s endorsement yet. Trump said he won’t endorse a candidate until after the Dec. 27 debate that he’s set to moderate in Iowa.
Candidate Ron Paul criticized the idea of Trump moderating a debate, saying he wouldn’t attend. Gingrich, however, indicated he would go, saying, “Why wouldn’t I want to come to the debate?”
Trump said, “Ron Paul has a zero chance of getting the nomination.”
“This is a country that elected an actor who made two movies with a chimpanzee to the presidency,” Gingrich said. “Donald Trump is a great showman. He is also a great businessman.”
Before the meeting, Gingrich said he “hoped” he would get Herman Cain’s endorsement.
Cain suspended his campaign Saturday after a woman claimed to have had a 13-year affair with the married businessman.
Cain spokesman J.D. Gordon said there were no plans to endorse another candidate despite reports that a nod for Gingrich was imminent.
Gingrich, meanwhile, seemed unworried that he was the flavor of the month for GOP voters dissatisfied with Romney, saying, “The American people will decide” whether he’s a candidate for the long term.
Gingrich’s Midtown meeting makes him the fifth GOP contender to make the pilgrimage to Trump Tower in search of an endorsement.