Donald Trump has said he will accept a “clear election result” from next month’s US presidential election but will reserve the right to file a legal challenge if he feels the outcome is "questionable."
Speaking at a rally in Ohio, Trump said he would "promise and pledge to all of my voters and supporters – and to all of the people of the United States – that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election".
Almost immediately however, he added the caveat "if I win".
JUST IN: Trump: “I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election… if I win" https://t.co/4z453rVzqK
— CNN (@CNN) October 20, 2016
In recent weeks, the Republican nominee has repeatedly raised doubts as to the integrity of the US presidential race – before the vast majority of votes have been cast.
At a recent rally in Florida, he warned his supporters that the 2016 election was their “last chance” to overthrow the “corrupt” establishment.
He accused the media, the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a “global power structure” of conspiring to rig the November election against him.
“It's a global power structure that is responsible for the economic decisions that have robbed our working class, stripped our country of its wealth, and put that money into the pockets of a handful of large corporations and political entities,” Trump told the crowd.
“For them it's a war, and for them nothing at all is out of bounds. This is a struggle for the survival of our nation, believe me.”
During Wednesday’s debate, Trump alleged there are “millions of people that are registered to vote that shouldn’t be registered to vote” and cast doubt on whether he would accept the election results.
When pressed by moderator, Chris Wallace to confirm that he will accept the outcome of the vote he said he would "look at it at the time".
“I will keep you in suspense,” he said.
His opponent, Hillary Clinton described the comment as "horrifying" and said it was extraordinary that the nominee of a major party would say such a thing.
Republican senator, John McCain – who lost the 2008 presidential election to Barack Obama – said in a statement that accepting the result is "the American way."
"I didn’t like the outcome of the 2008 election. But I had a duty to concede, and I did so without reluctance,” he said.
“A concession isn’t just an exercise in graciousness. It is an act of respect for the will of the American people, a respect that is every American leader’s first responsibility.”
The US Presidential Election will be held on November 8th.
