Donald Trump has said he will “never withdraw” from the race for the White House after calls from his own party to step aside.
He was forced to tell the Wall Street Journal there was “zero chance I’ll quit” after at least three Republican national politicians said they were no longer able to endorse the Presidential candidate.
The statements from Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Kelly Ayotte came after a tape emerged in which Mr Trump brags about being able grope women because of his fame.
House speaker Paul Ryan, who was due to attend a campaign event with Mr Trump on Saturday, earlier said he was “sickened by what I heard”.
Others leading figures, including Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and Senator John McCain also criticised their Republican colleague.
The running mate of former Republican hopeful Ted Cruz,Carly Fiorina, was among those who called for Mr Trump to stand aside.
The tycoon was caught on a microphone as he arrived on the set of daytime soap opera Days Of Our Lives for a cameo.
He was telling Billy Bush of the celebrity show Access Hollywood about a woman he tried to seduce.
He is heard to say: “I did try and f*** her. She was married.
“I moved on her like a b****, but I couldn’t get there.”
He also brags about women letting him kiss and grope them because he is famous.
Mr Trump said: “I just start kissing them. And when you’re a star they let you do it.
“Grab them by the p****. You can do anything.”
Following the release of the 2005 recording, the Republican presidential hopeful initially said he was sorry “if anyone was offended” by the “locker room banter”.
“Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong and I apologise,” he said.
Senator Crapo reacted to the release of the video by saying: “I have reached a decision that I can no longer endorse Donald Trump. His pattern of behavior leaves me no choice. I urge Donald Trump to stand aside.”
Carly Fiorina said: “Donald Trump does not understand me or my party. I ask Donald Trump to step aside and for RNC to replace him with Gov. Mike Pence.”
The second debate with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is due to take place on Sunday.
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