NEW YORK (AP) - Out of the presidential race before he was officially in it, celebrity real estate mogul Donald Trump said Monday he would not seek the 2012 Republican nomination. He could have won the White House, he said, but instead will continue to steer his business empire and remain host of his reality show "Celebrity Apprentice."

The announcement, ending a colorful and attention-grabbing chapter in the unfolding GOP nominating race, surprised some strategists who said Trump had been assembling a campaign team and had been expected to announce his candidacy soon. This spring, Trump had gained considerable attention by stirring renewed controversy over President Barack Obama's Hawaii birth, leading the White House to persuade the state to release a copy of Obama's long-form birth certificate after two years of dismissing the issue.

Trump revealed his decision Monday at a meeting of advertising executives who had come to learn about NBC's fall television lineup. The network had been pressing him for a decision, fearing the loss of millions of dollars in ad revenue if "Celebrity Apprentice" didn't return next year.

Among the top GOP hopefuls are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The GOP is still waiting to hear whether Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin or Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann will get in the race. Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and 2008 presidential contender, announced Saturday he would not be a candidate this time.