Probably so, but it would be worth checking. IIRC Amanda Carpenter was the main instigator of the Carson Deception. At least one staffer resigned over it.
Anyway, it never ceases to amaze me how the media who said he would never run, etc... continue to underestimate him. Donald Trump has been actively thinking about this for 27 years, that we know of, and his record says he never goes into anything to lose. In fact, he seems to set up situations were what ever happens he wins.