Trump steps up US poll ‘dirty war’

DONALD Trump attempted to reboot his struggling presidential campaign yesterday‚ delivering a stinging but carefully crafted attack on Hillary Clinton that accused her of being corrupt and more interested in enriching herself than helping Americans.

Eschewing his freewheeling style‚ the Republican candidate used a rare scripted speech to call Clinton a “world-class liar” who had “spread death‚ destruction and terrorism everywhere she touched” and later took money from repressive regimes.

The on-message broadside came after weeks in which his campaign had become sidelined by a public spat with a Mexican-American judge adjudicating a case against Trump University‚ and controversy over perceptions he had exploited the Orlando shooting massacre for political gain.

Amid mounting Republican concern that the real estate developer was failing to make the pivot towards the general election‚ Trump fired his campaign manager this week.

The attack on Clinton appeared to be part of a coordinated effort to refocus on his Democratic rival.

But there were signs that the controversies would continue.

Former Republican nomination rival Marco Rubio has announced he will seek reelection to his Florida Senate seat‚ citing Trump’s “worrisome” positions.

“Some of his statements‚ especially about women and minorities‚ I find not just offensive but unacceptable‚” Rubio said after having previously promised not to return to the Senate.

“If he is elected‚ we will need senators willing to encourage him in the right direction‚ and if necessary‚ stand up to him. I’ve proven a willingness to do both.”