Donald Trump's presidential campaign today appeared to be collapsing like a pack of cards, with many top Republican party leaders leaving his camp a day after his lewd remarks against women surfaced but the controversial billionaire refused to quit the race.
The Republican party faced an unprecedented meltdown, with an increased chorus in the party and its leadership every passing hour for the 70-year-old reality TV star to drop out of the presidential race ahead of the election next month.
One leader after another, including top Senators and Governors, distanced themselves from the New York-based real estate mogul, who joined Republican party only a little over a year ago and emerged as its presidential nominee in the short span.
Trump's own running mate Mike Pence said he could neither condone nor defend his remarks in a 2005 videotape in which he bragged in vulgar terms about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women.
"I am grateful that he has expressed remorse and apologised to the American people. We pray for his family and look forward to the opportunity he has to show what is in his heart when he goes before the nation tomorrow night," the Indiana Governor said in a statement.
His remarks came after cancelling an appearance scheduled at Wisconsin with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, both of whom had condemned Trump's remarks the day before but stopped short of withdrawing support altogether.
Trump, however, put up a defiant show.
In an interview to The Wall Street Journal, he said "there is zero chance I'll quit."
He said the same thing in an interview to The Washington Post, which was the first to release a video of his lewd comments against women.
"I never give up. The support I am getting is unbelievable, because Hillary Clinton is a horribly flawed candidate," he said. "I'd never withdraw. I've never withdrawn in my life. No, I'm not quitting. I have tremendous support."
Trump, who has spent his last 24 hours in his Trump Tower in New York with his closest allies, also cancelled his appearance at a rally in Wisconsin.
Trump who made a brief appearance before his supporters at the lobby of his Trump Towers would face a confident Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, for the second presidential debate at St Louis on Sunday night.
A number of Congressman and Senator yesterday announced that they were withdrawing their endorsement of Trump.
Top Republican Senator John McCain announced that he is withdrawing his endorsement of Trump.
"Donald Trump's behaviour this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy. Cindy, with her strong background in human rights and respect for women fully agrees with me in this," McCain said.
"Cindy and I will not vote for Donald Trump. I have never
voted for a Democratic presidential candidate and we will not vote for Hillary Clinton. We will write in the name of some good conservative Republican who is qualified to be president," he said.
"Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw," former secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a Facebook post.
According to reports, some nine top Republican lawmakers have revoked their endorsement of Trump, while nearly two dozen others have asked him to withdraw from the race.
"Donald Trump is wrong about his level of support. He needs to withdraw from the race," said Senator Jeff Flake.
"Enough is enough. Donald Trump should withdraw in favor of Governor Mike Pence. This election is too important," said South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard.
"If I support him for President, I will be telling my boys that I think it's okay to treat women like objects - and I'll have failed as a dad. Therefore, I can no longer support Donald Trump for President and will not be voting for him or Hillary Clinton," said Congressman Tom Rooney.
"While I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton, I will not vote for Trump," said Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
Senator Ron Portman said: "While I continue to respect those who still support Donald Trump, I can no longer support him. I continue to believe our country cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency. I will be voting for Mike Pence for President."
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal said the Republican National Committee will redirect its funds meant for Trump for other Congressional candidates.
Politico reported the party directed a mailing vendor to hold off on all projects related to the Republican National Committee-Trump joint "Victory" fund.
The backlash came even as Trump's immediate family hoped that people would accept the apology of the real estate mogul, who is now facing the prospect of a humiliating defeat in the November 8 general elections.
"The words my husband used are unacceptable and offensive to me," his wife Melania Trump said in a rare statement yesterday evening.
"This does not represent the man that I know. He has the heart and mind of a leader. I hope people will accept his apology, as I have, and focus on the important issues facing our nation and the world," Melania said.
His son Eric Trump sent an email to his supporters asking them to support his father and help him raise funds.
"My father has been preparing for tomorrow night's debateand I know you're going to be proud. To ensure he delivers a tremendous victory for the American people, I will once again hand him a list of supporters who made a contribution in honour of our great movement," Eric said.
His other son Donald Trump Jr also came out in his support on a day when Trump was facing the worst political crisis of his life, saying: "These false, negative ads are going to start coming quickly now that there are only 30 days left. And we absolutely need to make sure we are fully funded, or else we won't be able counter each and every one of these false attacks with the truth.
