How Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice' Presidential Plugs Could Give the Obama 2012 Campaign Free Prime Time Air

If the recent high-profile fights he's been picking are any indication, Donald Trump seems likely to run for the Republican candidacy against Obama, and it looks like he's planning on using "Celebrity Apprentice" as a free promotional vehicle to do so.

"On the May 22 season finale of 'Celebrity Apprentice,' Mr. Trump may announce the time and place of a press conference at which time he will make a statement as to whether or not he will run for president of the United States," said a recent release from the show's producers.

Last night on the show, Trump asked "Celebrity Apprentice" candidates what they thought.

“Everyone’s been saying I should run for president. …Should I run for president?” asked Trump.

Meatloaf said: “I will vote for you, in fact I’ll help you with your campaign.” Star Jones said “Absolutely, I’m right here, ready to roll.”

The the Donald took it a step further, asking:  “Is there anyone here who would not vote for me? Raise your hand.”

When no one raised their hand, Trump responded: “Well, I’ll tell you: anyone who raised their hand would immediately be fired because they’re stupid.”

You have to wonder if in a room full of celebrities, there might not be at least one potential Democrat (Trump will be running either as a Republican or Independent), but that discussion (and the one about whether or not a lilly-livered liar makes a good leader) is for another day.

What's interesting about Trump's not-quite-yet campaign and how he's playing it is the impact it might have on the ultimate elections.

Legally speaking, due to the "equal time" rule, TV stations "must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it." In a nutshell, what this means is that if a station gives one free minute to a candidate in prime time (say Sundays at 7 p.m.), it must do the same for another candidate in the same race.

The exception to the rule is a “(1) bona fide newscast, (2) bona fide news interview, (3) bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the news documentary), or (4) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events (including but not limited to political conventions and activities incidental thereto).”

Long story short, if NBC is running an hour's worth of Donald Trump and not charging him for the privilege, they are duty bound by law to provide President Obama (and whoever the Green or Tea Parties, etc. run) with an equivalent amount of time to share cmapign messages with potential voters.

This became an issue during Arnold Schwarzenegger's gubernatorial campaign in California, when stations opted not to air "Terminator" or "Twins" ("It's not a tumor") during the campaign so they could avoid having to give opponents equal time for free.

Of course, the Donald will probably just pull an end-around by having a guest host or getting his kids to judge, though even that may still trigger complaints from potential opponents. One other option? Trump's just tooting his horn and picking fights to raise ratings.

As one NBC exec told the N.Y. Times: “This is Donald being Donald. Any decision is still weeks away.”