Republican Donald Trump’s top aides and supporters yesterday downplayed a chaotic week in which the New York businessman was distracted from his core message by personal spats, as a new poll showed him trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Republican frustration with Donald Trump has mounted following a series of startling statements from the nominee, including his refusal to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan’s re-election.

US president Barack Obama has declared Donald Trump “unfit” and “woefully unprepared” to serve in the White House.