Ireland has been warned to prepare for Donald Trump becoming the next President of the United States.

Economist David McWilliams says the Republican hopeful stands a real chance of beating his likely Democratic rival Hilary Clinton.

He has also described Mr Trump as a frat kid with a rich daddy.

However, he said that the real estate mogul has figured out how to win the Presidential election.

“Trump has realised that American elections are show business, and it’s like reality TV, and he has figured this out,” he said.

“And I don’t think he’s half as dumb as people think he is.

“I think he realises: I’m going to do this, to deploy language and insult, and probably just, frankly, tell lies about people, but all the time to make sure that me, Trump – I am the news.”