"There's a spirit that I've never seen, Trump told supporters at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia shortly after the race was called.

"I have never seen the Republican party so unified as it is now."

The crowd erupted in applause, with some screaming "I LOVE YOU!"

"This was a great moment in American history," said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who joined Trump on stage, adding "we just hit maximum velocity!"