WASHINGTON: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton took a giant step toward securing the White House nominations of their parties Tuesday, thumping rivals in a slew of Super Tuesday primaries.
Bellicose billionaire Trump weathered a barrage of attacks from fellow Republicans to win at least seven of 11 states, according to projections, coming within striking distance of becoming the Republican nominee to replace President Barack Obama.
Clinton also racked up seven wins — her strategy of embracing President Barack Obama appeared to pay dividends.
She beat rival Bernie Sanders handily across a host of southern US states — Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas — winning big among African-American voters and reversing a 2008 primary loss in Virginia.
The former secretary of state also claimed Massachusetts, in a close race.
Sanders notched wins in his tiny home state of Vermont, Oklahoma, Colorado and in Minnesota, but he now trails heavily.
Both Trump and Clinton signaled their focus is beginning to shift to the general election.
In victory remarks, Clinton attacked Trump’s pledge to “make America great again.”
“America never stopped being great!” she said to cheers from supporters in Miami.
