During a lively set piece in South Carolina, in which he addressed a New York Times article mocking him as 'the man of the toupee', Trump wigged out a little, inviting a woman on stage to "inspect" his famously helmet-shaped hairdo.

"This is on the front page of the New York Times. I don't wear a toupee, it's my hair! I swear. We're gonna settle this!

"Come on up here, they're gonna let you," Trump said, pointing at an audience member. "You have to do an inspection, real quick. We don't wanna mess it up too much 'cause I do use hairspray."

The grinning woman, who later swore she had never met the real estate mogul before, obliged, gingerly patting Trump's iconic silver barnet.

"Is it mine?" he demanded.

"It is!" the woman, sounding a little surprised.

"Say it, please," Trump continued, directing her to the microphone.

"Yes I believe it is."

It was some welcome light relief for Trump's campaign, which appears lustrous and full of body despite his many gaffes and heavy criticism from the liberal media he despises.

Whether Trump's campaign gets a further bounce remains to be seen.