Trump to moderate GOP presidential debate in Iowa

[December 03, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Real estate mogul Donald Trump will moderate a Republican presidential debate in Iowa a week before the state holds the first in the nation caucuses.

The conservative website Newsmax will host the debate, scheduled for December 27 in Des Moines. All the GOP contenders have been invited to participate.

Trump announced he would not seek the Republican nomination himself after toying with a bid last spring. The host of "Celebrity Apprentice" has remained visible in the GOP contest, hosting many of the candidates for meetings at Trump Tower in New York City. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is set to visit Trump Monday.

Trump has also been a strong critic of President Barack Obama and drew considerable publicity when he questioned the validity of Obama's birth certificate.

[Associated Press]

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