Republican John Kasich, the last rival for front-runner Donald Trump, has announced the end of his presidential bid. His departure effectively clears the way for Trump's path to the GOP nomination.

Donald Trump, a real estate tycoon and realty TV star, came a step closer to becoming the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee on Wednesday after his last remaining rival for the nomination abandoned the race.

Ohio Governor John Kasich announced the end of his campaign in a statement on Wednesday afternoon from his home state, pulling the plug on his long-shot candidacy.

Even before word spread that Kasich was dropping out, Trump had already begun to pivot towards the general election campaign.

"I am confident I can unite much of" the GOP, Trump said Wednesday on NBC's "Today Show," as several prominent Republicans said they'd prefer Democrat Hillary Clinton over the TV celebrity.

In a shot at his critics, Trump added: "Those people can go away and maybe come back in eight years after we served two terms. Honestly, there are some people I really don't want."

(DW)