Trump admits that presidential campaign is 'bad for my brand'
REUTERS/Dominick ReuterBusinessman and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a back-yard reception in Bedford, New Hampshire, June 30, 2015. Donald Trump admitted that his presidential campaign is hurting him financially.
In an interview on Fox on Saturday, the real estate mogul hit back at critics who allege that he's just running for president for publicity, saying that his campaign has damaged his image and his businesses.
"This isn't good for my brand, I think it's bad for my brand," Trump said. "Maybe I'm leading in polls, but this is certainly not good. I lose customers, I lose people."
Still, Trump said that his businesses haven't been too hurt by the bad publicity yet.Trump ignited a media firestorm several weeks ago when he declared that many Mexican immigrants are "rapists" and drug-runners.
During Friday's interview, Trump listed what he said were lucrative opportunities that he passed up on to run for president, as well as the businesses that have severed ties with him due to his controversial comments.
"I had one of the top shows on television, 'The Apprentice,' and I decided not to do it because I wanted to do this. Who gives up a top, top show?" Trump said. "Plus I gave up hundreds of millions of dollars of deals because I'm doing this. And then you hear about NASCAR, and NBC, and you hear about different people who drop Trump because Trump wants safety."
The reality television star seemed particularly hurt by NASCAR's decision not to hold one of its events at Trump's Miami hotel.
"I love the Nascar people, I'm a little surprised at Nascar to be honest with you," Trump said. "I didn't understand that it would be this severe."
Still, Trump said that his businesses haven't been too hurt by the bad publicity yet.
Trump is close to the top the crowded Republican field, trailing only former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), though many pollsters believe that Trump's popularity won't last.
Watch the video below, via Fox and Friends: