Trump says groping claims 'absolutely false'

Trump denies women's claims of groping

Donald Trump has rejected a slew of accusations of sexual misconduct, telling supporters in Florida they are "totally and absolutely false".

The Republican presidential nominee said the women making the allegations were "horrible liars" and the media was colluding with rival Hillary Clinton.

Several women say he groped them or forcibly kissed them.

First Lady Michelle Obama earlier said Mr Trump's boasts about groping women were "shocking and demeaning".

"Leaders should meet a basic standard of human decency," she said during a campaign appearance in New Hampshire.

Seeing Mr Trump make lewd comments about women, on a video leaked last week to the Washington Post, "has shaken me to my core in a way that I cannot have predicted," Mrs Obama said, her voice cracking with emotion.

She never mentioned the former reality TV star by name but her references made her target obvious.

Two women told the New York Times that the Republican presidential candidate groped or kissed them.

A People magazine reporter also said she was forcibly kissed, while another woman said Mr Trump grabbed her bottom.

Making his first public appearance since the allegations were made, Mr Trump told a rally in West Palm Beach these stories were "a conspiracy against the American people" by the political and media establishment.

He said he had evidence the accusations were unfounded and would release that at the "appropriate time".

In one reference, he appeared to imply People writer Natasha Stoynoff could not have been telling the truth because of her appearance.

"Take a look. You take a look. Look at her, look at her words, you tell me what you think. I don't think so, I don't think so."

The media, he said, "will seek to destroy your career and your family".

He has threatened to sue the New York Times, which published accusations from two women on Wednesday evening.

The newspaper has responded by saying it would welcome the opportunity to make its case in court.

The crowd showed no signs of wavering in their support (AP)

Asked during last Sunday's televised presidential debate whether he had kissed or groped women without their consent, Mr Trump said: "No, I have not", and stressed that he respected women.

Many of the women said Mr Trump's denial during the second presidential debate prompted them to come forward.

Last week's emergence of a video tape in which Mr Trump boasted that his fame meant he could "do anything" to women has sparked a crisis that has engulfed his campaign.