Will this be the dirtiest debate ever? Anderson Cooper to kick things off with a 'hot mic' question as Trump warms up on Twitter hinting he will bring up Bill Clinton rape claims 

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Donald Trump is preparing for what could be a bloodbath on Sunday night, as the Republican nominee goes up against Hillary Clinton in the second presidential debate.

The debate, held in St Louis, Missouri, has the potential to be one of the nastiest ever as Trump could choose to go after Clinton's husband Bill Clinton for an alleged rape.

Since Friday, the Trump campaign has been reeling from the fallout after a 2005 tape revealing Trump making vulgar and explicit comments about groping women was released.

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Donald Trump is preparing for what could be a bloodbath of a debate on Sunday night. He was spotted leaving Trump tower for St Louis on Sunday morning 

Trump (top, left) braved the rain to make his way to Missouri to face Hillary Clinton in the second presidential debate on Sunday

Many of Trump's closest allies were with him on his way to the debate just 48 hours after the release of a tape in which he was heard making lewd and sexually explicit comments about women (Rudy Giuliani, pictured)

And it has been revealed the first question of the debate will focus on the lewd remarks made by Trump - only he won't be the one answering. 

After winning a coin toss, Hillary Clinton will be asked the first question of the night, likely by moderator Anderson Cooper. 

Cooper, of CNN, is co-moderating with Martha Raddatz, of ABC, who have adjusted their town-hall-style debate in light of the Trump tapes, CNN Money reported.  

Forty people, selected by Gallup after submitting questions, will query the candidates along with the moderators during the town-hall debate.

After a series of tweets, it has been implied Trump will use Juanita Broaddrick, who claimed Bill Clinton raped her, as leverage against Clinton in what is expected to be a nasty debate (pictured with campaign manager Kellyanne Conway en route to St Louis)

As the Republican nominee made his way to Washington University where the debate is to be held, he abandoned his press pool

After landing in St Louis on Sunday afternoon, Trump posted a picture of 'Air Force Trump' 

Some Republicans tried to paint a picture of a unified party going into Sunday night's debate, but with no press to cover Trump, that level of unity was difficult to assess

The candidates were both spotted leaving their mutual home state of New York on a cold and rainy Sunday morning.  

Trump landed in Missouri around 2.30pm, about six-and-a-half hours before the debate kicked off. 

As the Republican nominee made his way to Washington University where the debate is to be held, he abandoned his press pool.

Some Republicans tried to paint a picture of a unified party going into Sunday night's debate, but with no press to cover Trump after 50 top Republicans called on Trump to drop out or withdrew their support, that level of unity was difficult to assess, the LA Times reported. 

But campaign manager Kellyanne Conway was doing her own damage control, posting a picture of Trump, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and other Republicans aboard Trump's plane.

Conway, who canceled Trump's appearance on FOX News on Sunday, also said running mate Mike Pence, who denounced the remarks made in the Trump tapes the day before, was also on board.  

Blue paper covers the chairs that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will use during Sunday's debate

Trump went on a Twitter tirade on Sunday after he dozens of GOP leaders withdrew their support for him following the release of the Trump tapes

After a series of retweets from his supporters who called the GOP establishment 'traitors' who 'don't count' in the election, Trump sent out another a tweet aimed at the Republicans

With his team around him, Trump will have to do everything in his power to salvage his faltering campaign. 

As the Republican party plunges into disarray following the comments, Sunday night might be Trump's last chance to unify the party behind him.

Many of the Republicans who have denounced Trump are involved in down ballot elections this November and could be distancing themselves to better their chances at re-election.

Even Trump's running mate Mike Pence has put distance between himself and the presidential nominee. 

'I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them,' Pence said in a statement Saturday. 

Clinton released an initial statement condemning the comments on Twitter, but remained strategically silent on all other fronts (pictured arriving in Missouri on Sunday)

Clinton campaign officials have decided not to have the Democratic nominee speak about the tapes until the debate to ensure the full impact of her statement

'We pray for his family and look forward to the opportunity he has to show what is in his heart when he goes before the nation tomorrow night.'

Along with attempting to regain the trust of the one-third of sitting Republican senators who said they wouldn't vote for Trump, the ticket also has an uphill climb in the polls.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll on Saturday showed Trump lagging five points behind Clinton.

Real Clear Politics shows Clinton up in every poll except the LA Times/USC Tracking poll, which has Trump up by three points. However, the poll has shown Trump in the lead for the majority of the campaign season.  

The campaign decided that with droves of Republicans fleeing from Trump that there's little they can do to put more pressure on the GOP nominee (pictured leaving New York on Sunday) 

A source close to the Clinton campaign told the LA Times they have prepared Clinton if Trump decides to bring up Juanita Broaddrick 

The source said he believes her response will be along the lines of: 'Just to be clear: you’re on the ballot; my husband isn’t'

As the Trump campaign tries to regain unity amongst the party, Hillary Clinton and her campaign have remained virtually silent since the Trump tapes were released. 

Trump retweeted posts from Juanita Broaddrick (pictured) who has claimed Bill Clinton raped her

Clinton released an initial statement condemning the comments on Twitter, but remained strategically silent on all other fronts. 

Clinton campaign officials have decided not to have the Democratic nominee speak about the tapes until the debate to ensure the full impact of her statement is felt by the thousands of viewers tuning in on Sunday. 

The campaign decided that with droves of Republicans fleeing from Trump that there's little they can do to put more pressure on the GOP nominee.

A source close to the Clinton campaign told the LA Times they have prepared Clinton if Trump decides to bring up Juanita Broaddrick, who has accused Bill Clinton of raping her, or any other infidelities. 

Bill Clinton has long denied Broaddrick's accusations, and Hillary has declined to address them

Trump, who has previously threatened to use the former president's infidelities in his battle Clinton, retweeted two posts from Broaddrick on Saturday

Trump followed the first retweet moments later by sharing a second comment from Broaddrick

The source said he believes her response will be along the lines of: 'Just to be clear: you’re on the ballot; my husband isn’t.' 

Trump went on a Twitter rampage on Saturday and Sunday, retweeting Broaddrick's allegations against Bill Clinton in addition to his own tweets lashing out at the Republican party. 

Washington University Junior Seohyun Kim (left), carries a sign on the quad area of the school while Ali Rayen (right), carries a sign of his favorite newscaster, CNN's Wolf Blitzer

Students set up 'boxing robots', pitting Republican nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton against each other

Student Breckan Erdman (pictured) carries around a sign on the campus of Washington University referencing the Trump tapes 

Dozens of students turned out before the debate to carry signs and champion their candidates - in this case a student was rallying for neither nominee, but rather a giant meteor

The first post from Broaddrick read: 'How many times must it be said? Actions speak louder than words. DT said bad things! HRC threatened me after BC raped me.'

Trump followed the first retweet moments later by sharing a second comment from Broaddrick. 

'Hillary calls Trump's remarks "horrific" while she lives with and protects a "Rapist". Her actions are horrific,' it read.

Bill Clinton has long denied Broaddrick's accusations, and Hillary has declined to address them. 

Broaddrick's accusations that Bill Clinton raped her in 1978 have never tested in criminal court.

Many believe this has been a clear sign that Trump plans to use Broaddrick's claims as leverage in the debate.  

After winning a coin toss, Hillary Clinton will be asked the first question of the night, likely by moderator Anderson Cooper

Cooper, of CNN, is co-moderating with Martha Raddatz, of ABC, who have adjusted their town-hall-style debate in light of the Trump tapes, CNN Money reported

Forty people, selected by Gallup after submitting questions, will query the candidates along with the moderators during the town-hall debate

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said Trump wouldn't hesitate to talk about 'the women that Bill Clinton raped, sexually abused and attacked'. 

Giuliani said Trump will cast Hillary Clinton's 'as the attacker' of women when she claims to be their champion. 

On Sunday afternoon, president Barack Obama suggested that Trump insults people because he's 'insecure'.

Without saying Trump's name, he said there's a reason why the Republican presidential candidate has denigrated veterans, people with disabilities, Mexicans and others during the 2016 campaign.

On Sunday afternoon, president Barack Obama suggested that Trump insults people because he's 'insecure'

Obama said: 'It tells you that he's insecure enough that he pumps himself up by putting other people down.'

Obama made the comments to supporters Sunday at a fund raiser in Chicago. He said 'the unbelievable rhetoric' from Trump has been 'disturbing'. 

Earlier Sunday, Trump tweeted thanks to his supporters and slammed the Republican leaders who have abandoned him.  

'Tremendous support (except for some Republican "leadership"). Thank you,' Trump wrote. 

After a series of retweets from his supporters who called the GOP establishment 'traitors' who 'don't count' in the election, Trump sent out another a tweet aimed at the Republicans. 

'So many self-righteous hypocrites. Watch their poll numbers - and elections - go down!' he wrote. 

A camera operator sets up in the debate hall before the second presidential debate between Trump and Clinton

Workers put the finishing touches on the debate stage where students have been helping to prep the stage at Washington University 

U.S. Secret Service agents pose with a Budweiser Clydesdale on the Campus of Washington University in St. Louis

The media center is seen prior to the second presidential debate between the cadidates

New polls conducted since the tapes were release suggest abandoning Trump could hurt the down-ballot Republicans Trump was addressing in the tweet.  

A majority of Republican voters - 74 per cent - want the party to stand behind the candidate, according to Politico. Only 13 per cent want them to back away. 

That poll also shows that 39 per cent of voters feel Trump should end his campaign while 45 per cent say he should stay in the race. 

On the other side of the aisle, the numbers are more extreme. 

Democrats want Trump out at about 70 per cent.    

The Politico poll is the first to gauge the public's reaction the release of the 2005 tape in which Trump says he tried to hit on Nancy O'Dell, who is married. 

Polls taken on Friday and Saturday by YouGov, took some preliminary looks at how the tapes skewed men and women's decisions this election (students pictured at Washington University)

In Pennsylvania, 53 per cent of women said that the tape made them view Trump more unfavorably to men's 42 per cent (students pictured at Washington University)

Despite the harsh rain and cold weather, one protester donned a pig costume to protest outside Trump tower 

New data shows that voters want Trump to stay in the race and 74 per cent of voters think the GOP should back the nominee

Trump also made comments about groping women and how he can do 'whatever he wants' because he's a star. 

Another poll, taken on Friday and Saturday by YouGov, took some preliminary looks at how the tapes skewed men and women's decisions this election. 

For the most part, the tapes didn't change the minds of any staunch supporters. 

While the majority of people said the tapes didn't make their views of Trump any worse, 44 per cent in Ohio and 47 per cent in Pennsylvania - battleground states that Trump needs to win - said the tapes made their views of Trump worse. 

There is a slight gender gap on how men and women view the comments made on the tapes.  

In Pennsylvania, 53 per cent of women said that the tape made them view Trump more unfavorably to men's 42 per cent, CBS News reported.   

On Saturday, Trump also thanked supporters who turned up at a party unity rally in Wisconsin - an event that Trump was uninvited to by House Speaker Paul Ryan.

The rally was in Ryan's congressional district.

At the event, Ryan was booed and heckled by Trump supporters, who shouted 'Shame on you!' and 'You turned your backs on us!'

Despite condemning Trump's words and uninviting him, Ryan has not withdrawn his endorsement. 

As pressure from establishment Republicans mounted on Saturday, Trump released several statements saying there is 'zero chance' he'll drop out of the race 

Trump's tweeting comes after a day that saw more than 50 prominent Republican figures either call for him to drop out of the presidential race, or denounce the comments he made on the recording released by the on Friday.  

On Sunday morning, Hillary Clinton's running mate Time Kaine made an appearance on CNN's State Of The Union to discuss Trump's hot mic incident. 

Kaine said 'it is much more than words'.

Kaine noted that Trump has previously made disparaging remarks about women. 

He said, 'There's kind of a piece of the jigsaw puzzle missing in Donald Trump where he does not look at women and consider them as equal to himself.'