Donald Trump beats odds to claim Republican nomination

Donal Trump has finally sealed the nomination of the 2016 Republican presidential ticket thirteen months after launching an unlikely bid for the US presidency having defeated 16 party rivals.

Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, announced the support of New York, during a roll-call vote at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, confirming Trump had the majority of delegates - 1237 - needed to compete at the November 8 US presidential election against Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton, Trump's rival, was quick to react to his nomination by tweeting:

"Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office."

Trump won the Republican presidential nomination with 1725 delegates, followed by US Senator Ted Cruz with 475 delegates, Ohio Governor John Kasich with 120 and US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida with 114 while three other candidates emerged with a total of 12 delegates.

Speaking to the convention on a video screen from New York, Trump promised to win the November 8 election, create jobs, strengthen the military, safeguard US borders and "restore law and order" in the US.