Punch thrown at DonaldTrump protester

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Asheville, North Carolina. Photo / AP

A supporter of Donald Trump's appears to have got into a fight with two protesters at his rally today in Asheville, North Carolina.

The violence erupted as several protesters were being escorted out by security.

A man in the crowd grabbed a male protester around the neck and then punched him.

The man then slapped at a woman being led out.

The Trump supporter was not ejected by security.

The fight broke out as Trump was defending his supporters against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's comment that half of them belonged in a "basket of deplorables".

She later said she regrets describing half of them that way.

Trump was interrupted several times by protesters.