Story highlights The scenario that Trump might not serve is making the rounds

It's not the first time that Trump has suggested that he might not take the office

(CNN) Donald Trump loves being unpredictable -- it's a valuable card in any good negotiator's hands, he insists.

But now the presumptive Republican nominee is seemingly joking about the latest political speculation that a victory in November doesn't necessarily mean he'll take the oath of office to become president of the United States.

"I'll let you know how I feel about it after it happens," Trump told The New York Times in a story published Thursday while flashing what the newspaper described as a "mischievous smile." The paper said Trump was responding in an interview when presented with the scenario that he may win and decide not to serve.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN.

Trump's comment -- in keeping with his tradition of keeping the public guessing -- was seemingly uttered in tongue-in-cheek fashion, but it's not the first time Trump has remarked about abandoning his quest for the Oval Office seat.

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