Donald Trump acknowledged the possibility of losing the presidential election, telling CNBC he'll "go back to a very good way of life."
Trump was asked how he thought his assertions that President Obama is the founder of ISIS would play in America, particularly the battleground states, Trump said, "All I do is tell the truth."
"I'm a truth teller," Trump said on "Squawk Box." "And if at the end of 90 days I've fallen short because I'm somewhat politically correct, even though I'm supposed to be the smart one and even though I'm supposed to have a lot of good ideas, it's OK. I go back to a very good way of life.
"It's not what I'm looking to do. I think we're gonna have a victory, but we'll see."
The CNBC comments were the latest volley — and most forthright — in a series of statements Trump has made in August that appear he's warning about a loss in November.
- Aug. 1: "I'm afraid this election is going to be rigged," Trump told a rally in Columbus, Ohio, though he had made a similar assertion during the primary.
- Aug. 9: Trump's now infamous comments that Second Amendment people can stop Clinton from appointing judges, at least casting doubt that Trump could stop her.
It has been enough to compel pundits to ask whether Trump really wants to be president. Joe Scarborough on Wednesday said he thinks Trump is pulling a "marketing ploy, a scam," and that he'll end up saying, "I can't believe you suckers fell for this."
At this point, only Trump himself knows.
"At the end it's either going to work or I'm going to have a very, very nice long vacation," Trump told CNBC.
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