Business mogul Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE is considering a presidential bid in 2016 and has spent $1 million on political research, according to the New York Post.

Trump, who spent months toying with a 2012 run, has recently been increasing his political appearances — though he's played down any interest in a run, recently saying a bid was "highly unlikely."

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In a speech last week to the Oakland County, Mich. Republican Party the reality star brought up a possible 2016 bid.

"Everybody tells me, 'Please run for president. Please run for president.' I would be much happier if a great and competent person came along," Trump reportedly said in his speech. "I'd be happy if President Obama did a great job. I'm a Republican, but before anything, I love this country. I would love to see somebody come in who is going to be great."

A top Trump aide told The Post that Trump commissioned the $1 million to research his standing in each state, and to gauge those he would need to win.

"The electoral research was commissioned. We did not spend $1 million on this research for it just to sit on my bookshelf," Trump special council Michael Cohen said. "At this point Mr. Trump has not made any decision on a political run, but what I would say is that he is exactly what this country needs. The turnout at these political speeches indicates his following remains very strong and is growing."

Trump predicted during his Michigan speech that if the GOP didn't pick "the right person" to run against Democratic favorite Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Virginia Democrat blasts Trump's 'appalling' remark about COVID-19 deaths in 'blue states' The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally MORE in 2016 the election would be a "landslide."

Trump has a well-honed reputation for generating headlines and controversy -- he offered $5 million to President Obama to release his birth certificate -- and many questioned if he was serious about his 2012 aspirations. But if the television and real estate mogul invests a lot of energy in generating buzz about a 2016 run that could impact the rest of the political scene.