Trump says will never quit presidential race

US GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump rejects calls by Republican leaders to quit the 2016 presidential race, following the release of a 2005 videotape, containing lewd comments about women that have embarrassed US authorities and outraged the nation.

The Washington Post released the video, in which Trump is heard making a conversation about trying to have sex with a married woman.

GOP officials, including governors, senators and congressmen across the US have disavowed Trump over the sexually obscene remarks caught on a hot microphone.

Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to vow he will not quit the race ahead of the November 8 vote despite growing calls.

"The media and establishment want me out of the race so badly -  I WILL NEVER DROP OUT OF THE RACE, WILL NEVER LET MY SUPPORTERS DOWN! #MAGA," the New York billionaire tweeted on Saturday afternoon.

The reality star who has already apologized for what he said in a conversation with Billy Bush before arriving on the set of a show, made the comments one day before a second presidential debate against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The comments have pushed the Trump campaign into a crisis with Trump’s running-mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, saying, even he was offended.

"As a husband and father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump," said Pence, who had previously just ignored questions regarding the matter.

Following a criticism by Republican leaders, Trump released a video saying, “I’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that I’m not. I’ve said and done things I regret, and the words released today on this more than a decade-old video are one of them. Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am.”

He asserted that he would respond to calls to withdraw “in the coming days. See you at the debate on Sunday.”

The real estate mogul reduced the comments to “some foolish things,” accusing Clinton of bullying and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, of abusing women.

Following the leaked tape, Trump issued a statement saying, "This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago.”

“Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course - not even close. I apologize if anyone was offended," he added.

Since last month’s presidential debate, Trump has repeatedly criticized Bill and Hillary Clinton’s marriage and the former president’s past infidelities.

“Hillary was an enabler, and she attacked the women who Bill Clinton mistreated afterward. I think it’s a serious problem for them, and it’s something that I’m considering talking about more in the near future,” he said in a post-debate interview. 

Reactions to Trump’s vulgar comments have not all been damning, including a statement by his wife Melania Trump, saying she hopes “people will accept his apology.”

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