Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie has joined critics of United States Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with a Facebook post that refers to the businessman as a "sexual predator". Rushdie's post called on Americans to "focus". His statements follow the Federal Bureau of Investigation's announcement of an inquiry into fresh emails, in connection with Hillary Clinton's use of a private server, 11 days before the presidential election.

Trump faces racketeering charges in connection with allegations about corruption at Trump University, while a case was filed against him for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. His campaign has said all allegations are "fabricated".

Last month, the Republican candidate was accused of sexual harassment, days after a video surfaced showing him boasting about forcing himself on women. However, Trump has denied these allegations too, and has even vowed to take legal action against the women who pressed charges against him.

In March, Hillary Clinton had been accused of using personal email addresses connected to a privately-owned server, rather than a government email, during her tenure as President Barack Obama's first-term secretary of state.

Following the FBI's announcement, a Washington Post-ABC poll has Republican candidate Donald Trump inching closer to Clinton's poll of 46% with just one point short at 45%.

America will elect a new president on November 8. In May, over 400 writers signed a open letter against Trump in May stating that "neither wealth nor celebrity qualifies anyone to speak for the United States".