The Hill News

Donald Trump said Monday that he's "the least racist person there is," and that the criticism he has faced won't deter him from running for president.

Trump, the real estate mogul and host of NBC's "The Apprentice," denied that his public quest to force President Obama to release his birth certificate, as well as other elements of his nascent campaign, was racially motivated.

"When it comes to racism and racist, I am the least racist person there is," Trump said on Fox News. "I think that most people that know me would tell you that I am the least racist."

Trump pointed to the fact that Randal Pinkett, an African-American contestant on "The Apprentice," was the winner of his show, and said that his accusers were simply seeing publicity for themselves.

Still, Trump's had some awkward moments over the past few ! months as he considers seeking the 2012 Republican nomination â€" for instance, he boasted of having a "great relationship with the blacks" during a radio appearance last month.

The criticism he's faced hasn't served as a deterrent, Trump said Monday.

"I have said and I have always been told, that a very successful person cannot run for high office. And I sort of see it. I’ve always gotten great press and lately, I’ve been hammered," he explained. "Anything I do. If I go on your show â€" if a word is slightly out of order it’s like hammer-time and it’s really amazing but that has absolutely no impact on me whatsoever.”