Donald Trump's wife Melania to join US election campaign trail
As Hillary Clinton leads in the latest polls, Donald Trump's wife is making a rare appearance to bolster her husband's chances.
Thursday 3 November 2016 15:52, UK
Donald Trump's wife is set to join his campaign trail as recent polls gave Hillary Clinton a narrow lead over her Republican rival.
Mrs Clinton regained the lead she held before last week's announcement of an FBI probe into the email scandal.
Melania Trump will speak at an event in Berwyn, Pennsylvania later today after keeping a low profile for most of the campaign.
President Barack Obama is attending a rally in Florida in support of Mrs Clinton and told the audience: "It is tempting to want to not really focus on our government and our politics, but this election is critical."
In a swipe at Mr Trump, he said: "What you are does not change after you occupy the Oval Office - all it does is magnify who you are."
Many polls have shown Mrs Clinton's lead over Republican rival Mr Trump getting smaller since the email controversy
But a Reuters/Ipsos daily tracking poll released late on Wednesday showed her six percentage points ahead - the same advantage she held before FBI director James Comey's controversial announcement.
Another poll by The New York Times/CBS gave the Democratic nominee a 3% lead, with 45% against Mr Trump's 42%.
Her advantage is even stronger given that a victory on 8 November depends on the Electoral College system.
To win, a candidate needs a majority of 270 votes and, with large states such as New York and California usually going to the Democrats, Mrs Clinton looks likely to get at least 226 votes.
She will also need to do well in swing states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Arizona and Iowa.
Mr Trump, on the other hand, has a tougher ride to the White House.
He looks likely to win just 180 votes, leaving him relying even more heavily on those swing states.
Florida - or, more specifically, its 29 electoral votes - has been a major focus in the campaign and a RealClearPolitics average of polls there puts Mr Trump just 0.7% ahead.
It was Florida where Mr Trump was campaigning on Wednesday, projecting a confident exterior, telling supporters in Pensacola: "It's feeling like it already, isn't it?"
He added: "We've got to be nice and cool, nice and cool. Alright, stay on point, Donald, stay on point.
"No sidetracks, Donald, nice and easy."
The financial world was not taking the possibility of a Trump win quite as calmly, however.
Mrs Clinton is favoured by financial markets, seen as a candidate who would maintain the status quo, inspiring stability.
But Mr Trump's views on foreign policy, trade and immigration appear to prompt the uncertainty that puts investors on edge.
Stocks around the world fell on Wednesday, along with the US dollar and oil, while safe havens such as gold and currencies including the euro, yen and the Swiss franc gained strength.
The Dow, S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 0.93% were all down in Wednesday trading.
Chris Weston, chief market strategist at broker IG Research, said: "Despite all the thoughts about central bank policy changes, improving inflation trends and ever-changing economics, politics dominates markets above all else."
Mr Trump was not deterred, however, and told his supporters in Florida that Mrs Clinton was "totally unhinged".
Mrs Clinton, speaking at a rally in Las Vegas, said Mr Trump was "out of his depth".
She added: "He doesn't have a clue."