New York: Donald Trump endured boos at a charity event in New York and a biting attack by President Barack Obama as the Republican nominee’s threat not to concede if he loses next month's elections roiled the race for the White House.
Mr Trump was booed at a white-tie fundraiser for Catholic charities in New York where he and Ms Clinton, fresh off their bruising final debate in Las Vegas, took part in what was supposed to be a friendly roast.
But the bitterness of the campaign was soon on display, with Mr Trump calling Ms Clinton “corrupt” and jabbing her for disclosures from her campaign’s hacked emails.
“Here she is in public, pretending not to hate Catholics,” he said, as Cardinal Timothy Doland of New York looked on.
“I wasn’t really sure if Hillary was going to be here tonight because, I guess, you didn’t send her invitation by email. Or maybe you did, and she just found out about it through the wonder of WikiLeaks,” Mr Trump said, adding “We’ve learned so much from WikiLeaks. For example, Hillary believes that it is vital to deceive the people by having one public policy and a totally different policy in private."
The jeers from the audience were unusual for the event. “I’ve been to that dinner like six, seven, eight times,” Christine Quinn, the former speaker of New York’s city council, told CNN. “I’ve never heard boos like that. Never.”
Ms Clinton, in turn, made a more direct political attack on Mr Trump.
“Donald looks at the Statue of Liberty and sees a 4 — maybe a 5 if she loses the torch and tablet and changes her hair.”
Mocking a letter from Mr Trump’s doctor about his health, the Democratic nominee said: “Donald really is as healthy as a horse — you know, the one Vladimir Putin rides around on.”
Meanwhile, President Obama, in a harsh comment aimed at Mr Trump’s allegations that the elections are rigged, said: “When you try to sow the seeds of doubt in people’s minds about the legitimacy of our election, that undermines our democracy.”
“When you suggest rigging or fraud without a shred of evidence, when last night at the debate, Trump becomes the first major party nominee in American history to suggest that he will not concede despite losing.”
