"It is certainly plausible that if Trump simply sold off his company in toto, he'd be in debt"

[Merlot]

2. This is what I've thought - there is nothing to sell

trumps run for president was a last ditch effort to save his empire. He's built a pyramid scheme with all his marketing ventures and ows so much to foreign investors (because NY banks won't loan to him). At the very least he thought being president would shield him from some of the lawsuits and he'd be in a better position when the foreign investors came calling for their money.

And why does everyone think that because his names on a building he owns it? It's a marketing scheme he devised after his casino went broke.

He's an entertainer and wants the attention & approval. Why would he willingly give up his lifestyle to become president? He enjoyed the competition and the rallies - which is why he's still doing rallies - it's all he knows how to do. Well, that and the rallies are step in the strategy of facicsm, but that's another issue (remember mein kampf on the nightstand?).