The latest stop on Sarah Palin's One Nation bus tour of the United States was Donald Trump's triplex apartment in New York. After meeting at Trump Tower, the pair shared a pepperoni pizza in Times Square.

Asked if he would support a Palin candidacy, The Donald replied: "She didn't ask me for that. She came up as friends . . . But I will tell you, she's a great woman and a terrific woman, and a good friend." He added: "I'd love her to run."

To which Palin mischievously replied: "We both agree that competition is good and the more folks in that primary, the better." It was yet another hint that she's preparing the ground for a bid.

Palin certainly sounded a lot like a candidate when, after she was asked what she and Trump have common, she replied: "A desire to see our economy get put back on the right track, making sure that we have a balanced trade arrangement with other countries across this world so that Americans can have our jobs, our industries, our manufacturing again.

"That's what built this country. It was manufacturing and exploiting responsibly our natural resources. We can do that again if we make sensible decisions."

Surely she could have just said that they both like pizza? Palin is expected to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty this morning.