Trump leaves US Republican Party after debate snub

Businessman and reality TV personality Donald Trump has left the Republican Party, changing his voter registration to independent in his home state of New York, in a move that could facilitate a potential third-party presidential run in 2012, US media reported on Friday.

Businessman and reality TV personality Donald Trump has left the Republican Party, changing his voter registration to independent in his home state of New York, in a move that could facilitate a potential third-party presidential run in 2012, US media reported on Friday.

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The move was disclosed 10 days after the real estate mogul announced he would not moderate a planned debate among 2012 Republican presidential candidates in order to protect a possible White House run as an independent.

All but two candidates declined to participate in Trump's planned Dec 27 forum in Iowa.

"Mr Trump has said for almost a year that if he is not satisfied with who the Republican candidate is, he may elect to run as an independent," Trump spokesman Michael Cohen said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"This change in party affiliation certainly preserves his right to do so, after the finale of The Apprentice in May."

"The Apprentice" is the reality TV competition show that Trump hosts on NBC. The US presidential election is in November 2012.

Trump never mounted an actual campaign and critics suggested it was all self-promotion.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Texas Governor Rick Perry and US Representatives Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann had said they would not attend the planned Trump-moderated debate.

Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senator Rick Santorum had agreed to take part.

A presidential run by Trump holds the potential of undermining the Republicans' quest to deny Obama a second four-year term as president.