WASHINGTON: Mocking his detractors, Donald Trump has said he will "totally accept" the outcome of the presidential election next month - if he wins, hours after he stunned Americans by refusing to commit that he will accept the results, seen as a threat to the foundation of democracy.
The 70-year-old Republican nominee prone to making controversial remarks, however, said he would reserve his right to file a legal challenge in case of a "questionable result" in the November 8 general election, in which he is contesting against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
"Ladies and gentleman, I want to make a major announcement today. I would like to promise and pledge to all of my voters and supporters, and to all of the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic Presidential election, if I win," Trump told his supporters in Delaware, Ohio.
The billionaire and reality TV star went on to state that he "will accept a clear election result, but I will also reserve my right to contest and file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result".
His latest remarks came hours after he refused to commit whether he would accept the results of the polls, which he has been saying is "rigged", during the third and final presidential debate yesterday.
While Clinton termed Trump's refusal as "horrifying", President Barack Obama slammed him saying allegations of voter's fraud and rigging of the elections is "dangerous" and "undermines our democracy".
Trump, however, continued with his allegations of voters' fraud.
"The question of voter fraud came up during the debate. We want fairness in the election. This is having nothing to do with me. But having to do with the future of our country. We have to have fairness. John Podesta, Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, was quoted in WikiLeaks as saying, illegal immigrants could vote as long as they have their drivers' license.
"What I'm saying is don't be naive folks. Don't be naive. One of the big issues that came up last night, was the fact that the Clinton campaign has paid people to disrupt, violently, our rallies, and to incite absolute total bedlam. It's so bad, so bad," Trump said.
"And you know, I have had occasions where we had rallies and it was so incredibly violent. I said, what's going on over here? These were paid people by the Clinton campaign and it just came out," he alleged.
Trump said he gives a lot of credit to the people that brought this out.
"Believe me. This is criminal behaviour that violates centuries of tradition of peaceful, democratic elections. A campaign like Clinton's that will incite violence, is truly a campaign that will do anything to win," he said, adding that candidates like "Crooked Hillary" would endanger the country if elected.