Trump walks back his promise not to launch a third-party run

By Gabby Morrongiello, Gabby Morrongiello

Published December 20, 2015

Donald Trump has changed his tune on a third-party bid for the White House less than three months after "totally pledging" his allegiance to the Republican Party during a dramatic news conference at his gilded Manhattan skyscraper.

"The best way for the Republicans to win is if I win the nomination and go directly against whoever [Democrats] put up," Trump said, minutes after tweeting a picture of his signed loyalty pledge to the Republican National Committee.

All 17 candidates who signed the document explicitly stated they would "not seek to run as an independent or a write-in candidate."

But on Sunday, the billionaire told ABC's George Stephanopoulos, "we'll see what happens" when asked if he was open to a third-party run.