While Fox News and the Republican National Committee decide just how many from the sprawling field of GOP presidential candidates to allow to participate in the first primary debate, Donald Trump isn't worried he won't make the cut.

"I don't think that will happen," the real estate magnate said in an interview Tuesday with the Washington Examiner media desk. "No. 1, they want people to watch the debate. If I was excluded far fewer people would watch. I get ratings."

His second reason: "I do very well in the polls," he said. "I'm ahead of most candidates before I've even announced. The biggest negative I have is people don't think I'm running. It gets solved by standing up and saying I'm running and filing [the official paperwork]."