In a rare public confession Thursday, Republican presidential nominee Trump said he "regrets" some of the sharp-tongued and insulting rhetoric that has become his trademark during the campaign.
"Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words ... and believe it or not, I regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain," he told supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Moments later, the familiar Trump returned when he called President Barack Obama a "liar" for denying that a recent $400 million payment to Iran was ransom for hostages.
He also accused Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton of being a "bigot," saying she sees African-Americans only as votes and disregards the opportunities they deserve.
Trump directly appealed to black voters, saying Democratic administrations and liberal polices had failed them. He promised blacks "amazing results" if he is elected.
"What have you got to lose by trying something new?" Trump asked.
Blacks traditionally have voted for Democrats since the Great Depression of the 1930s, after decades of backing Republican candidates.
Clinton Foundation
Also Thursday, the charitable foundation started by Bill and Hillary Clinton announced it would stop accepting corporate and foreign donations if Hillary Clinton was elected president in November.
Former President Bill Clinton told foundation staffers at a meeting Thursday that the organization would take money only from U.S. citizens and charities without ties to any government.
The ex-president also said he would resign from the board if his wife became the next commander-in-chief. He said there should be no questions surrounding the foundation, which has raised about $2 billion to improve the lives of people in developing nations.
Some Republicans have alleged that large donors to the foundation won special access to Hillary Clinton or senior aides when she was secretary of state — charges she has always denied.
There was no comment from Trump on the foundation's new policy. But he did say in Charlotte that he would ask senior officials in his administration to reject speaking fees for five years after leaving office, and not to accept money from companies that lobby or "from any entity tied to a foreign government."
