For First Time, Trump Voices Regret For Causing 'Personal Pain'
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CBSNewYork/AP)-- For the first time, Republican Donald Trump says he regrets some of his most heated campaign statements.
The GOP nominee says at a rally in Charlotte that, "sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it,'' he says, "particularly where it may have caused personal pain.''
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Trump says that, "Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues.''
Trump was reading from prepared remarks, using a teleprompter instead of his usually off-the-cuff rally style after re-shaping his campaign team.
Hillary Clinton's campaign responded to his remarks Thursday evening.
"Donald Trump literally started his campaign by insulting people. He has continued to do so through each of the 428 days from then until now, without shame or regret. We learned tonight that his speechwriter and teleprompter knows he has much for which he should apologize," the statement read. "But that apology tonight is simply a well-written phrase until he tells us which of his many offensive, bullying and divisive comments he regrets—and changes his tune altogether."
Clinton's campaign also offered a "refresher" on Trump's previous attacks on individuals, including insulting the Khan family, calling Mexican immigrants "rapists" and mocking a reporter with a disability.
Trump announced a shakeup of his campaign leadership Wednesday, the latest sign of tumult in his bid for the White House as his poll numbers slip with only 82 days before the election.
Despite reshuffling his campaign staff for a third time in eight weeks, Trump has insisted he is not second-guessing himself.
He debuted the team during a round table at Trump Tower.
The billionaire real estate mogul named Stephen Bannon of the conservative Breitbart News website as chief executive officer and promoted pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager.
Details of the new pecking order were hashed out at a lengthy senior staff meeting at Trump Tower Tuesday while Trump was on the road. A statement announcing the hires was released Wednesday. Additional senior hires are expected soon.
(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.)
