Like election claim, Trump now says debate was 'rigged'

A Trump follower holds up her personalised phone case with Donald Trump's photo at one of his election rallies. Pic/AFP

Washington: After a resounding verdict from most quarters that his rival Hillary Clinton had won the first Presidential debate, Republican nominee Donald Trump yesterday, at an election rally, moved on to claiming that it was "rigged".

Trump (70) said he had to fight with moderator Lester Holt on "everything I said".

Alicia Machado when she was crowned Miss Universe in 1996

"What a rigged deal, I tell you, we are in such a rigged system - it is terrible. What's going on in this country is so sad. But it will change. Remember November 8," Trump said.

Trump said he would work hard over the next 40 days to win the White House.

Alleging that Clinton put the office of Secretary of State up for sale, Trump said if she ever got the chance, she would put the Oval Office up for sale too.

Twitter salvo
Later, early Friday morning, on Twitter, he went on to attack Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado, who Clinton had referred to, and tweeted, "Wow, Crooked Hillary was duped and used by my worst Miss U. Hillary floated her as an ‘angel' without checking her past, which is terrible!" He further went on to allege, "Did Crooked Hillary help disgusting (check out sex tape and past) Alicia M become a U.S. citizen so she could use her in the debate?