Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton get up close and personal with the media

Donald Trump has committed to taking part in all three scheduled presidential debates with Hillary Clinton, as the two candidates sought even more media exposure to make their case to American voters.

On the same day that the Democratic nominee debuted a campaign plane that included space for the media that travels with her, Mr Trump also for the first time invited a small group of reporters for a question-and-answer session on his private jet as he departed Cleveland, Ohio.

“I expect to do all three debates,” Mr Trump said, according to Bloomberg News. “I think it’s an important element of what we’re doing.”

The New York tycoon, who has claimed he fears the election could be “rigged”, had previously refused to commit to taking part in all three events, saying he would not be sure the moderators would treat him fairly. The first is due to take place on September 26 at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York.

Ms Clinton also headed to Ohio, considerable a battleground state, and for the first time welcome reporters aboard her plane. The candidates’ planes even crossed path at Hopkins International Airport.

It is a move that will provide the media with greater access to Ms Clinton, who has not held a formal press conference since last December and has only once taken questions from the media.

“I am so happy to have all of you with me,” she said.

The Associated Press said that Ms Clinton powered through a coughing fit at a Labor Day festival at a Cleveland park, sharply criticising Mr Trump's recent trip to Mexico as “an embarrassing international incident”.

“He can try to fool voters into thinking somehow he’s not as harsh and inhumane as he seems but it's too late,” Ms Clinton said.

Ms Clinton has held a consistent lead over Trump in national and battleground polls since the Democratic convention in July, though it has narrowed in recent weeks after reports about her use of private e-mail and about the Clinton family foundation. One poll published last week, put Mr Trump one point ahead.

The debate may determine whether Mr Trump can overcome Ms Clinton’s wide advantage in fundraising and organisation, and close in on her in the final weeks of the race.

Mr Trump also appeared to pivot away from his hard-line position on immigration, saying: “I’m all about jobs now.”

The Republican real estate mogul said immigrants in the country illegally may not need to return to their countries or origin to obtain legal status, appearing to contradict his past positions. Any immigrants who want full citizenship must return to their countries of origin and get in line, he told reporters.

“We’re going to make that decision into the future,” Mr Trump said in his most extensive comments on immigration since last Wednesday’s speech in Phoenix on immigration.

Mr Trump was in Cleveland with his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence. Ms Clinton's surrogates were out in force as well, with vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine joining her in Cleveland after appearing with Vice President Joe Biden in Pittsburgh.

Former President Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife in Detroit and later in Cincinnati, Ohio.