Donald Trump to run for US president

8:30 am on 17 June 2015

Property billionaire Donald Trump has announced he will run for the White House in the 2016 election.

Donald Trump announces his bid for the US presidency in the 2016 presidential race. Photo: AFP

Mr Trump, a Republican, has never run for the party's nomination before, but has often talked about it.

"I am officially running for president of the United States and we are going to make our country great again," he told supporters at New York's Trump Towers on Fifth Avenue.

He said his fortune would allow him to be an effective president.

"Our country is in serious trouble. We don't have victories anymore," he said.

"When was the last time anyone saw us beating, let's say, China in a trade deal?

"They kill us. I beat China all the time."

Mr Trump expressed support for gun rights and said he would protect US government programmes like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Donald Trump stands with his family after his announcement that he will run for the 2016 US presidential elections. Photo: AFP

And he said he would "immediately terminate" President Barack Obama's executive order on immigration, which would save undocumented migrants from deportation.

"Sadly, the American Dream is dead", Mr Trump said.

"If I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and strong than ever before. We will make America great again."

He becomes the 12th Republican to declare, with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Florida's former governor Jeb Bush among the early frontrunners.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is the clear frontrunner.