OUTRAGEOUS

INDIANAPOLIS, May 4

Billionaire reality TV star Donald Trump completed his transformation from long-shot White House candidate to presumptive Republican presidential nominee after his commanding win in Indiana’s primary forced his main rival Ted Cruz to drop out of the race.

The New York billionaire, who has never held public office, had repeatedly defied pundits’ predictions that his campaign would implode. He prevailed despite making outrageous statements along the way that drew biting criticism but still fed his anti-establishment appeal.

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Trump now can prepare for a match-up in the November 8 election. Hillary Clinton is expected to be his Democratic opponent, though her march to the nomination was slowed by rival Bernie Sanders’ victory over her in Indiana.

Trump’s immediate challenge is to unite deep fissures within the Republican party, easing tensions with party loyalists who are appalled at his bullying style, his treatment of women and his signature proposals to build a wall on the border with Mexico and deport 1.1 crore illegal immigrants. Support for Trump among national Republicans has soared in recent weeks at 53 per cent, well above Cruz at 25 per cent. Ohio Governor John Kasich, the third Republican in the race, had support of 16. He too opted out of the race on Wednesday, leaving the field open for Trump.  — Reuters