23:03

A crowd of well-heeled staff, volunteers and supporters erupted in cheers when Donald Trump emerged in the marbled lobby of his eponymous tower on Fifth Avenue, writes the Guardian’s Lauren Gambino:

He was trailed by his sons, Donald Jr and Eric, and his wife, Melania, as well as Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, who endorsed Trump earlier this year.

Trump opened his remarks by thanking his supporters, and in a twist, the media, which he noted had been treating him fairly for the “last two hours”.

“I consider myself the presumptive nominee” Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

“I consider myself the presumptive nominee,” Trump told reporters, then cast himself as the only Republican candidate that could unify the party.



He dismissed questions about his pugnacity and bombast being part of an act. “I am me,” he declared. He added later: “Why would I change? ... I may act differently, but my thought process is the same.”