Tycoon Trump Backs Republican Romney

Property tycoon and reality television star Donald Trump has endorsed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, giving a further boost to his campaign.

The accolade proved an almost farcical diversion from the business of the candidacy selection, with poll-watchers anxiously waiting to see which man Mr Trump would throw his weight behind.

Newt Gingrich's campaign had been so confident that the master of publicity would be supporting them, they even confirmed it to various news agencies.

But they were forced to retract the statement several hours after it was made, with Mr Gingrich himself speaking out to deny it.

A circus-like atmosphere and blaze of publicity surrounded the endorsement, which Mr Trump made official at one of his own hotels with a speech by Mr Romney and his wife Ann's side.

"It's my honour, real honour and privilege to endorse Mitt Romney," he said.

"Mitt is tough, he's smart, he's sharp, he's not going to allow bad things to continue to happen to this country that we all love.

"Governor Romney, go out and get 'em, you can do it," he added, before the men shook hands for the cameras.

Mr Trump has played a prominent role in the presidential contest, when he announced last spring he may run for the candidacy himself.

He has also publicly attacked President Obama, reviving false claims that he was not born in the United States and criticising his record as president.

Mr Trump told reporters earlier he had made the decision after getting to know Romney when he met with him several times in the past few months.

He also cited Romney's performances in debates and his tough stance on China as his reasons for the endorsement.