Bill Weld: Massachusetts governor becomes first Republican challenger to Trump in 2020

Mr Weld is the first prominent candidate to challenge the president in the 2020 Republican primaries

Bill Weld announced his candidacy for the Republicans this morning (EPA)

A former governor of Massachusetts has announced he is running for president, becoming the first prominent Republican to break rank and challenge Donald Trump in the 2020 Republican primary.

Bill Weld, who served as governor of the northeastern state in the 1990s, announced his candidacy on Monday.

Mr Weld is a long shot for actually beating Mr Trump in the primary season next year, and is gearing up for a fight against not only Mr Trump, but a Republican Party that has considered ways to make it difficult for a drawn out and damaging primary season in 2020.

"Ours is a nation built on courage, resilience, and independence. In these times of great political strife, when both major parties are entrenched in their 'win at all cost' battles, the voices of the American people are being ignored and our nation is suffering," Mr Weld said in a statement.

Before his announcement on Monday, Mr Weld had formed an exploratory committee dedicated to analysing whether a campaign was at all viable.

"It is time for patriotic men and women across our great nation to stand and plant a flag. It is time to return to the principles of Lincoln -- equality, dignity, and opportunity for all. There is no greater cause on earth than to preserve what truly makes America great. I am ready to lead that fight," his statement continued.