Donald Trump says he’s much richer than Mitt Romney

Donald Trump has been capturing significant attention for slamming the president. It seems now he's broadening his reach, turning his offensive game toward his potential GOP challengers.

This weekend, the real estate mogul began pitting his riches and business acumen against those of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (Though Trump's net worth continues to be the source of much mystery and speculation.)

In an interview with CNN's Candy Crowley Sunday, Trump called the former presidential candidate a "small businessman" -- though Romney built Bain Capital into one of the largest private-equity firms in the world. He also suggested Romney didn't create companies (even though he did).

"I'm a much bigger businessman and have a much, much bigger net worth. I mean, my net worth is many, many, many times Mitt Romney," Trump said. He later added: "I built a very big net worth and I'd like to put that ability … to work for this country. So I don't do it for myself. I'd be doing it for this country.

Watch the interview below:

It's the latest in Trump's famously lauding his own high net worth that others have disputed. But that would all change if Trump ran for president, which would require him to file a financial disclosure statement.

But he said Sunday America will be pleasantly surprised by the real figures.

He also went to great lengths to suggest his candidacy is more of a duty than a personal ambition.

"I love my life. I love what I'm doing," Trump said. "I wish I didn't have to do it. I would prefer not doing it. But I love this country."

Trump continues to garner media attention for slamming the president--questioning Obama's birthplace and whether Obama authored his own memoir, as well as criticizing the president's foreign policy and trade policies at length.

But many still question whether Trump, star of NBC's "The Apprentice" reality-show franchise, is using a presidential bid to boost his celebrity and his television ratings. He recently revealed he may use "The Apprentice's" season finale to make a 2012 announcement.

NBC executives aren't lending any validity to Trump's political campaign. Two executives recently told the New York Times they have pervasive doubts about a Trump candidacy. Bill Carter and Brian Stelter write:

"This is Donald being Donald," said one senior executive who would be involved in any decision about how NBC handles the show. The executive, who asked not to be identified to avoid any conflict with Mr. Trump, said "any decision is still weeks away."