Trump signs pledge to back GOP's 2016 presidential nominee
By STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press
Sep 3, 2015 1:10 PM CDT
FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2015 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets supporters after speaking at a rally at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, S.C. NBC announced Tuesday, Sept. 1, that Trump will sit down with host Jimmy Fallon to discuss his campaign and other issues...   (Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump says he has signed a Republican loyalty pledge to back the GOP's 2016 nominee for president and skip a potential third-party bid.

The billionaire businessman and presidential candidate roiled the GOP race when he refused to make such a promise in the campaign's first debate.

The front-runner was the only candidate on stage not to make the commitment to back whoever emerges from the party's primaries.

A third-party bid by Trump could harm the GOP's efforts to take back the White House after eight years of Democratic President Barack Obama.

The Republican National Committee extended the pledge to all the candidates seeking the party's nomination to avoid such a scenario.