US election: Trump steps back from Republican support pledge

US Republican front-runner Donald Trump has dropped his pledge to support the party candidate if he does not win the nomination for the November election. Mr Trump's rivals, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, refused to say outright whether they would unite behind a nominee. 

Mr Trump had pledged to support whoever Republican presidential candidate

 All the Republican candidates signed a loyalty pledge last November. It is the latest sign of friction between Mr Trump and Mr Cruz, who have been embroiled in a dispute involving each other's wives.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz did not answer if he would support any Republican presidential candidate

A committee supporting Mr Cruz published a nude photo of Mr Trump's wife Melania from 2000. In retaliation, Mr Trump tweeted an unflattering picture of Mr Cruz's wife Heidi.


Asked by CNN about the dispute, Mr Trump said: "He started it." CNN presenter Anderson Cooper said: "But, sir, with all due respect, that's the argument of a five-year-old."

"No, it's not," said Mr Trump. Mr Trump claims he has been "treated very unfairly" in the campaign.
To a question about whether he maintained his loyalty pledge from last November, Mr Trump said: "No, I do not any more."

Earlier, when asked the same question, Mr Cruz did not give a direct answer but said: "I am not in the habit of supporting someone who attacks my wife and attacks my family."

He went on: "Donald is not going to be the GOP nominee. We are going to beat him," referring to the acronym Grand Old Party, also used to refer to the Republican Party.

Mr Trump later replied, saying he did not need Mr Cruz's support. "I have tremendous support right now from the people."