Donald Trump says campaign is united despite apparent discontent

The Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump has denied reports of deep divisions within the GOP, claiming that it is united behind his campaign.

At a campaign rally at Daytona Beach, Florida, Trump affirmed that reports of a lack of unity were unfounded.

"I just want to tell you the campaign is doing really well," the nominee said. "It's never been so well united... I would say right now it's the best in terms of being united that it's been since we began."

The comments come after a host of Republican members and fundraisers have raised doubts about the possibility of a Trump presidency.

Former presidential candidate and current senator John McCain criticised the New York tycoon's comments when embroiled in a dispute with the parents of a Muslim US soldier who was killed in Baghdad.

On Wednesday, Hewlett Packard CEO and prominent Republican donor Meg Whitman pledged her support and funding for Hillary Clinton, referring to her rival as a "demagogue".

Reports are rife that many of the staffers on the campaign trail with Trump are losing patience with the campaign, with CNN reporting that some say they are "wasting their time".

Paul Manafort, the nominee's campaign chairman, pointed the finger at the Democratic campaign for the reports that there was a lack of unity.

"This is another Clinton narrative that she put out there and the media is picking up on," he said. "Mr Trump has appeared this week at crowds that are overflowing into the street."