Trump comes out fighting, denying sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump has denied allegations that he has committed sexual misconduct against a variety of women, and claimed that it was part of a campaign against him launched by Hillary Clinton.

A tirade of accusations have come the way of the Republican presidential candidate after a tape was leaked in which he boasted about inappropriate sexual behaviour with women, which he has downplayed as "locker room talk".

The allegations include claims from contestants in a beauty pageant that he walked into their changing room while they were undressed, and two women who claim he made unwanted advances towards them.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Thursday, Trump laid the blame on the political establishment that he believes Clinton is a part of.

"There is nothing the political establishment will not do, no lie they won't tell to hold their prestige and power at your expense and that's what's happening," he said during the speech in the key battleground state.

"I never knew it would be this vile, this vicious," he added. "Nevertheless, I take all of these slings and arrows gladly for you. I take them for the movement so we can have our country back."

Trump went on to direct his ire towards the women who made the accusations against him. He referred to them as "horrible, horrible liars".

The billionaire is threatening the New York Times with legal action after it published the story of one of his alleged victims.

"The only thing Clinton has going for her is the press. Without the press she is nothing," Trump claimed. The New York Times has dismissed the claims.