Trump hints he may run against Obama in 2012

Donald Trump has used a trip to Scotland to give his strongest hint yet that he may run for US president in 2012.

After picking up an honorary degree from a university in Aberdeen, the American property tycoon said his country needs better leadership and he might run against Barack Obama.

"A lot of people have asked me to do it and until recently I would have no interest," he said. Mr Trump said Mr Obama was "having a very hard time."

"I think he would be the first to admit that things have not been easy for him. The US is a great country and it's not doing as well as it should. It could be doing much better and I think, with proper leadership, it would do unbelievably well," he added.

He said it was too early to say who his potential running mate would be, and laughed off suggestions that he might run with the former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

Mr Trump received an honorary doctorate in business from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, despite protests from local residents who claim his massive £750m golf resort development could force them out of their homes.

Some academics from the university joined the campaign against Mr Trump, arguing that the tycoon does not deserve the degree.