A flamboyant real estate tycoon and reality TV host, Trump whipped up media attention by promising a "very, very big" announcement to be made on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Despite Trump's history of self-aggrandizing publicity stunts, his new campaign triggered fevered speculation that he had dug up Obama divorce papers or another scandal less than two weeks before election day.
A delighted Trump stirred the pot by telling his 1.6 million Twitter followers that "all predictions re: my 12 o'clock release are totally incorrect."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
On the hour, a short video announcement appeared on Trump's Facebook page, but The Donald, as he's popularly known, made no news whatsoever.
The five-minute statement simply revisited the "birther" conspiracy theory, which claims that Obama lied about being born in Hawaii, was born outside the United States and is therefore occupying the White House illegally.
Trump, a stalwart "birther," demanded the president release his college and passport records, saying that if this happened by October 31 he would donate $5 million to a charity of Obama's choice.
"If he releases these records it will end the question and indeed the anger of many Americans," Trump said.
The Obama campaign barely responded Wednesday, referring questions on Trump's comments to Republican White House contender Mitt Romney.
"Given Trump is one of his biggest supporters, this is a question best directed at the Romney team in Boston," said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
