More than 150 senior Republicans have withdrawn their backing for Donald Trump after his degrading remarks about women from 2005 were made public.

Here is what the critics are saying following the controversy:

:: Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California: "For the first time since I became a citizen in 1983, I will not vote for the Republican candidate for president."

As proud as I am to label myself a Republican, there is one label that I hold above all else - American. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/biRvY8S3aZ — Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) October 8, 2016

:: Senator John McCain: "Donald Trump's behaviour this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy."

:: Condoleezza Rice: "Enough! Donald Trump should not be president. He should withdraw."


:: US congressman for Utah Jason Chaffetz: "I'm out. I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president. It is some of the most abhorrent and offensive comments that you can possibly imagine."

:: Ohio Governor John Kasich: "I will not vote for a nominee who has behaved in a manner that reflects so poorly on our country. Our country deserves better."

:: Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said: "I have reached a decision that I can no longer endorse Donald Trump. His pattern of behavior leaves me no choice. I urge Donald Trump to stand aside."

:: Carly Fiorina, former Republican presidential candidate and Hewlett-Packard chief: "Donald Trump does not understand me or my party. I ask Donald Trump to step aside and for RNC to replace him with Governor Mike Pence."

:: Senator John Thune of South Dakota: "Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately."

Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz

:: Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski: "I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for president. He has forfeited the right to be our party's nominee."

:: Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia: "As a woman, a mother, and a grandmother to three young girls, I am deeply offended by Mr Trump's remarks, and there is no excuse for the disgusting and demeaning language. Women have worked hard to gain the dignity and respect we deserve. The appropriate next step may be for him to re-examine his candidacy."

Many others have not gone as far as to withdraw their support, but have condemned his behaviour.

:: Mike Pence, Mr Trump's presidential running mate: "As a husband and father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump'"

Paul Ryan on 'elephant in the room'

:: Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska: "Disgusting, shameful, totally disrespectful 'locker room' garbage, privately shared between two Hollywood playboys over a decade ago."

:: Former Florida governor Jeb Bush: "No apology can excuse away Donald Trump's reprehensible comments degrading women,"

:: Former presidential nominee Mitt Romney: "Hitting on married women? Condoning assault? Such vile degradations demean our wives and daughters and corrupt America's face to the world."

:: Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who has endorsed his former Republican presidential rival: "Donald's comments were vulgar, egregious and impossible to justify. No one should ever talk about any woman in those terms, even in private."

Crass Heard 'Round the World



Disgusting, shameful, totally disrespectful "locker room" garbage, privately... https://t.co/MV2fwjx848 — Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) October 8, 2016

:: Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who only recently backed Mr Trump: "These comments are disturbing and inappropriate, there is simply no excuse for them."

Republican Party chairman Reince Priebus: "No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever."

House Speaker Paul Ryan: "I am sickened by what I heard today. Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified."

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