MANCHESTER — Donald Trump, in his first visit to New Hampshire since announcing a presidential exploratory committee, called himself the only one who could restore America’s greatness.

Trump said he is seriously considering a run and would make a decision by June. He dismissed media critics during an interview at the New Hampshire Union Leader.

"Nobody calls me a punchline," he said.

Trump, 68, said he would put his expertise as a real estate mogul to work in creating jobs and winning back America’s global standing.

The author of "The Art of the Deal" criticized President Obama on the economy and handling of negotiations with Iran to keep it free of nuclear weapons. He accused the Obama Administration of easing up on sanctions against Iran.

"You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon," he said. "It’s got to be stopped. Our negotiators are babies. They don’t know what they’re doing. They’re politicians, and maybe politicians with the wrong ideas, or maybe politicians who are incompetent."

He said the negotiations make it look like Obama is "desperate" to sign a pact.

Trump said, if elected President, he would defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. He said he wouldn’t provide specifics, because that would telegraph future actions to the enemy terrorists.

Trump said the President should always get authorization for use of military force. "Right now," he said, there’s a "sort of quasi authorization going on."

Trump said it is "sad" what is going on with Israel, and he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a friend.

Questioned on the Israeli election, Trump sounded taken aback when told that Netanyahu had walked back a previous comment, and does indeed support a two-state solution and sustainable peace with Palestine.

Trump noted he had been on the road much of the day, including meeting activists and local and state Republicans in New Hampshire, and did not catch the latest headline.

"Wow, that’s pretty wild," Trump said. "He’s a pretty wild negotiator."

U.S. leaders are being taken advantage of by every country in the world, according to Trump, who criticized the trade imbalance and currency manipulation by China.

Trump said he would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education when asked what federal agencies he would get rid of. The Environmental Protection Agency is also "out of control," and he said EPA and DOE functions would be better run at the state level.

He has called for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. In the interview, he said he would call for a type of a marketplace approach that features interstate competition.

Trump said life begins at conception, and he called himself pro-life with exceptions, including for the life of the mother and rape.

Trump met earlier in the day with Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas and some local veterans and Republican activists.

Trump repeated that he will not be renewing his contract with NBC for "The Apprentice" in order to devote more time to a possible presidential bid.

It was a very political schedule for a man who says he is not a politician. He portrayed himself in the interview as an insider among movers and shakers, but an outsider when it comes to politics.

"I’ve dealt with politicians all of my life," he said. "I’ve made a fortune off politicians, and if you don’t make a fortunate off politicians you’re not very smart. Politicians are all talk and no action."

Trump also spoke at a house party at the home of state Rep. Steve Stepanek, R-Amherst, which was organized by the New Hampshire House Republican Victory PAC.

"Politicians, except for those in this room, are all talk and no action," Trump said to laughs.

Trump said he would build security fences along the border with Mexico and position U.S. personnel in strategic locations as part of his response to illegal immigration. In his earlier interview at the Union Leader, he said America should stop sending subsidies to Mexico in order to leverage that country’s cooperation on illegal immigration.

"We have to make this country rich again and we have to make it great again," Trump said in Amherst. He said he would make America so rich that Congress would never have to even think of cutting Social Security.

Rep. John Burt, R-Goffstown, said he was not sure whether or not Trump would become a candidate. He’s interested in Trump trying, though. "He’s not going to candy coat it," Burt said of Trump. "He’ll tell it the way it is."

In Amherst, Stepanek estimated there were 200 guests, plus media representatives.

He received the loudest applause when he responded to a questioner that he was a big Second Amendment supporter and, he said, "I carry a pistol."

Trump was also asked how he would create incentive for Congress to lower taxes to help businesses. "No. 1," he replied, "you have to elect people like me."

dtuohy@unionleader.com