Michael Moore says he knows ‘for a fact’ Trump doesn’t want presidency

LOS ANGELES — Film-maker Michael Moore penned an essay for his website in which he claims that Donald Trump ran for office as a way to gain negotiating leverage over NBC, and after his presidential campaign became an unexpected success, he is now looking for a way out.

“Donald Trump never actually wanted to be President of the United States. I know this for a fact. I’m not going to say how I know it,” the Bowling For Columbine director wrote in an article posted to his site on Tuesday (Aug 16).

He also theorised that Trump is sabotaging his own campaign.

“Maybe the meltdown of the past three weeks was no accident,” the Oscar winner wrote. “Maybe it’s all part of his new strategy to get the hell out of a race he never intended to see through to its end anyway.”

Moore continued: “Because, unless he is just ‘crazy,’ the only explanation for the unusual ramping up, day after day, of one disgustingly reckless statement after another is that he’s doing it consciously (or subconsciously) so that he’ll have to bow out or blame ‘others’ for forcing him out.

“That’s why he’s put on his political suicide vest — because he’s blowing up his own campaign,” Moore also posted on social media.

The motive behind Trump’s presidential bid, Moore wrote, was to get a better deal from NBC for hosting Celebrity Apprentice.

Moore wrote that before Trump launched his campaign, he “had begun talking to other networks about moving his show. This was another way to get leverage — the fear of losing him to someone else — and when he ‘quietly’ met with the head of one of those networks, and word got around, his hand was strengthened. He knew then that it was time to play his Big Card. He decided to run for President.”

Instead, after launching his presidential bid, Trump quickly gained a following and was moving up in the polls. He recently officially accepted the Republican nomination for president.

Meanwhile, Trump aides on Tuesday have said that Roger Ailes, the Fox News chairman who was ousted last month after sexual harassment allegations, is not advising the Republican presidential candidate before the presidential debates.

“He is not advising Mr. Trump or helping with debate prep. They are long-time friends but he has no formal or informal role in the campaign,” the campaign said.

Earlier, the New York Times had reported that Ailes was advising Trump ahead of the Sep 26 first presidential debate with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in a role that could stretch beyond the initial Long Island, New York debate.

Ailes resigned from his post as chairman and chief executive of Fox News Channel last month, ending his 20-year reign over the conservative cable news channel, after Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson sued the 76-year-old claiming sexual harassment.

Trump has spoken highly of Ailes in the past, calling him “a great guy” in a tweet last month. AGENCIES