Trump to tape show on campus

The possible presidential candidate will appear on 'Hardball' on Nov. 18. Business tycoon, potential presidential candidate and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump will come to Penn next week to tape a special episode of CNBC's political talk show Hardball as part of the show's nationwide college tour. The program -- hosted by journalist Chris Matthews -- will be recorded in the the University Museum's 720-seat Harrison Auditorium next Thursday at 4 p.m. and will air later that evening on CNBC and MSNBC, according to Engineering junior Theo LeCompte and College junior Nishchay Maskay, the co-chairpersons of Connaissance. Tickets will be free to members of the Penn community, though distribution details have not yet been released. According to Hardball producer Phil Griffin, the show chose to interview Trump at Penn because of the University's close association with the celebrity billionaire, who has announced his interest in running for the Reform Party presidential nomination. "Let's face it: Trump is associated with money and business and we want to talk to him about his tax plan and [his] plans to explore the presidency," Griffin said. "Wharton is where he went to school." Trump -- whose son is a Wharton senior -- announced last month that he would explore seeking the nomination of the Reform Party, which is automatically on the ballot in 21 states. Yesterday, he proposed a one-time 14.25 percent "net worth tax" on individuals and trusts worth at least $10 million to pay off the national debt, provide a middle class tax cut and keep Social Security afloat. Former Nixon speechwriter and CNN commentator Patrick Buchanan, who recently withdrew from the Republican Party, is also likely to seek the Reform nomination. Trump has the support of Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, the party's highest-ranking elected official, but Buchanan is thought to be supported by party founder Ross Perot. According to Hardball producers, Matthews -- who is known for his aggressive questions and sharp political insight -- will interview Trump and take about a dozen student questions during the program. "We want business school students to come and talk to this guy," Griffin said. "We want to know what they think about his tax plans and the other issues." Trump's appearance -- sponsored by the Provost's Series, the Tangible Change Committee and Connaissance -- marks the first event of a new Presidential Speakers Series. This new set of programs aims to expose students to presidential politics by bringing campaign officials and individual candidates to campus. Although no specific plans have been made to invite other candidates to campus, University spokesperson Ken Wildes said that Penn will welcome any of the presidential hopefuls. "We are in an election year," Wildes said. "We'd be thrilled to have any of them." The Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held next summer in Philadelphia and officials hope it will give Penn a chance to showcase its professors and encourage candidates to visit the University. Penn is the second stop on Hardball's college tour. The show taped an episode featuring Ventura at Harvard University last October. And Republican presidential candidates George W. Bush and John McCain -- as well as Democratic candidate Bill Bradley -- have agreed to be interviewed by Matthews later this year. U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will be visiting Penn the same day, November 18, to participate in a symposium hosted by the Fels Center of Government.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.