Trump Reaches Magic Number Of Delegates To Clinch Nomination
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- CBS News estimates Donald Trump has reached the number of delegates needed to clinch the Republican nomination for president.
His triumph completes an unlikely rise that has upended the political landscape and sets the stage for a bitter fall campaign.
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He will continue to add to his total with delegates from the upcoming primaries and any additional support from unbound delegates.
The good news for Trump was tempered by continuing problems for his campaign. Those include the abrupt departure of Trump's political director and continuing resistance by many Republican leaders to declare their support for his upstart candidacy.
It takes 1,237 delegates to win the Republican nomination. With 303 delegates at stake in five state primaries on June 7, Trump will easily pad his total, avoiding a contested convention in Cleveland.
Trump does not become the nominee until delegates vote at the convention. Until then, he continues to be the presumptive nominee.
'Good' That World Leaders Are 'Rattled'
Speaking after clinching the delegate count, Trump was asked about comments President Barack Obama made about questions Obama has been receiving about Trump's candidacy.
Obama said that world leaders were "rattled" by Trump's ascendance.
"When you rattle someone, that's good. As you know, many of the countries in our beautiful world have been absolutely abusing us, and taking advantage of us," Trump said. "So, if they're rattled in a friendly - we're going to have great relationships with these countries - but if they're rattled in a friendly way, that's a good thing."
On A Possible Vice President
Trump said his list of possible vice presidential candidates would likely contain women and minorities.
"I think it's likely that we would have somebody, but we don't do it for any specific reasons. We're looking for absolute competence. I fully expect that we will have many women involved - I've had it with the campaign - but we're going to have many women involved, and I think you're going to see that," Trump said. "We're going to have women involved on the absolute highest level."
Trump also said he intends to release his tax returns when IRS completes its audit.
On A Possible Debate With Bernie Sanders
Trump once again said he would be willing to debate Bernie Sanders.
"I would love to debate Bernie. He's a dream," Trump said. "I said I'd love to debate him, but I want a lot of money to be put up for charity. So what we'll do is, if we can raise for maybe women's health issues or something, if we can raise $10-15 million for charity, which would be a very appropriate amount, I understand the television business very well. I think it would get very high ratings. It should be in a big arena somewhere. And we could have a lot of fun with it. I'd love to debate Bernie."
Trump went on to say the only issue he has with debating Sanders is "he's going to lose" the Democratic primary because "honestly, his system is rigged like our system is rigged."
Trump went on to call the Democratic superdelegate system "so unfair."
On Feud With Sen. Elizabeth Warren
The feud with Sen. Elizabeth Warren showed no sign of abating.
"She has been a real disaster for a lot of people, including the Democrats, who frankly can't stand her, many of the Democrats, just ask Hillary Clinton how she likes her," Trump said.
As to his nicknaming her "Pocahontas," Trump offered this explanation:
"She said she was Native American, but she wasn't able to document it. She said 'Well, I have high cheek bones,'" Trump said. "I don't know if you'd call it a fraud or not, but she was able to get into various schools because of the fact she applied as a Native American, and probably able to get other things. I think she's as Native American as I am, OK? That I will tell you. But she's a woman that's been very ineffective, other than she's got a big mouth."
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
