Donald Trump apologises over lewd tape amid growing outrage

Donald Trump, the United States Republican Party presidential nominee, has issued a strange videotaped apology released early on Saturday, following a 2005 recording that surfaced in which he can be seen unabashedly bragging about trying to sleep with a married woman and being able to grope women as well.

His 2005 recording has set off an upheaval in the Republican Party.

"Anyone who knows me, knows these words don't reflect who I am," he said. "I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize," the New York Times quoted Donald Trump, as saying.

His apology came amidst criticism from his fellow Republicans after the tape was made public.

The New York billionaire in the tape can be seen speaking about pushing himself on women and showing that he could get away with "anything" as being a celebrity.

In his video apology, he said, "I've said some foolish things. But there's a big difference between the words and actions of other people. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims."

"I pledge to be a better man tomorrow and will never, ever let you down," he said.

Trump, however, also dismissed the disclosure as nothing more than a distraction from other issues the country is facing.

Trump in a statement on Friday before his video apology expressing regret "if anyone was offended" by his comments, but he tried to play down the tape as a snippet of "locker room banter."

Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Friday night withdrew an invitation for Trump to appear alongside with him in Wisconsin this weekend. In a statement, Ryan described himself as "sickened" by Trump's remarks

In a statement, Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader called on Trump to express contrition - and possibly offering other Senate Republicans cover to reject the nominee if he refuses to apologise.