A screen reading "Over The Top" is displayed as Donald Trump, presumptive 2016 Republican presidential nominee, receives the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland, Ohio, US, July 19, 2016. [Photo/VCG] |
CLEVELAND - After vanquishing 16 party rivals, warring with much of the Republican establishment and provoking controversy at the party convention, Donald Trump on Tuesday secured the party's 2016 nomination for the White House.
His son, Donald Trump Jr., announced the support of New York, their home state, during a roll-call vote at the Republican National Convention, ensuring Trump had the majority of delegates - 1,237 - needed to contest the Nov 8 US presidential election.
With three of Trump's other children at his side, the son said: "It is my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight."
The state-by-state vote to put Trump's name in nomination took place a day after opponents staged a failed attempt to force a vote opposing his candidacy, and after a speech by his wife, Melania, drew accusations of plagiarism.
US Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, an early backer of Trump, placed the New York businessman's name in nomination, calling him "a warrior and a winner." US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, the country's highest-ranking elected Republican, ran the meeting and launched the nominating process.