Trump will announce 2012 decision in days after 'Apprentice' finale

Business tycoon Donald Trump is likely to announce whether he'll officially enter the race for the GOP presidential nomination after the May 22 finale of "The Apprentice," a top adviser said Thursday.

Michael D. Cohen, an executive vice president in the Trump organization who's served as a top adviser for the "Apprentice" host," said that Trump will announce on the May 22 finale of the NBC show the day, time and place of the press conference at which he'll make his final decision known.

Trump's decision will not be revealed during the season finale of "The Apprentice," Cohen said.

An announcement will likely take place between the finale and the first few days of June, by which point Trump has previously said he would make a decision.

"It's no different than any other social media," Cohen said of Trump's use of the NBC show to promote his decision-making press conference.

Trump's been openly flirting with running for president since early 2011, and has embarked upon an aggressive media campaign to promote his potential candidacy.

In the meanwhile, polls have suggested the real estate mogul has gained ground on other Republicans vying for the party's nomination in 2012, the most recent CNN poll this week showing him tied for first place with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R).

A spokeswoman for NBC didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the network's handling of the season finale of "The Apprentice."