Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim behind NYT story, alleges Donald Trump

Washington: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Friday blamed Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, who is the largest shareholder in The New York Times, for the daily coming out with stories against him.

"The largest shareholder in the Times is Carlos Slim. Now Carlos Slim, as you know, comes from Mexico. He's given many millions of dollars to the Clintons and their initiatives. So Carlos Slim, largest owner of the paper, from Mexico," Trump said at an election rally in North Carolina.

"Reporters at The New York Times, they're not journalists, they're corporate lobbyists for Carlos Slim and for Hillary Clinton. We're going to let foreign corporations and their CEO's decide the outcomes of the (elections). You just can't do this," he said.

Over the weekend, the daily came out with stories in which in interviewed women who have accused him of inappropriate relationship.

"We can't let this (foreign influence) happen. We are not going to let it happen where they decide the outcome of our elections. They can't do it and we're not going to let it happen. This is our last chance to save our country and reclaim it for we the people, and it's going to happen," he said amidst applause.

Trump alleged that no paper is more corrupt than the failing New York Times.

"The good news is it is failing, it won't be around too much longer. But they are really, really bad people,? he said. The real estate mogul said he is being viciously attacked with lies and smears.

"It's a phony deal. I have no idea who these women are, have no idea. I have no idea. I think you all know I have no idea because you understand me for a lot of years. When you looked at that horrible woman last night, you said I don't think so. I don't think so," he said amidst applause.

"Whoever she is, wherever she comes from, the stories are total fiction. They're 100 per cent made up, they never happened, they never would happen. I don't think they'd happen with very many people but they certainly aren't going to happen with me. Folks, you know my people always say, oh don't talk about it, talk about jobs, talk about the economy. Don't worry, your jobs are going to be coming back to North Carolina like you've seen, the economy's going to be good," he said.