UNITED STATES. Donald Trump’s rivals have all said they will back him if he is the Republican presidential nominee in November – the friendliest moment in an otherwise testy debate.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who’s launched some of the most scathing attacks on the billionaire businessman, said: “I’ll support the Republican nominee,” referencing the importance of keeping Democratic hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders away from the White House.
Asked if he would do the same, Texas Senator Ted Cruz responded: “Yes, because I gave my word that I would,” referring to a pledge candidates signed last year to back the eventual winner of the race.
Ohio Governor John Kasich was less certain, saying: “I kind of think before it’s all said and done I’ll be the nominee.”
But he accepted he would support the property mogul. He said: “If he ends up the nominee, sometimes he makes it a little hard.”
Earlier in the debate Mr Trump came under fire from his rivals on a day that saw the party’s most recent presidential nominee, Mitt Romney,accuse the property mogul of bullying, greed and misogyny.
The New York businessman was forced to explain a civil lawsuit involving the collapse of Trump University.
He insisted he would win the case but Mr Rubio claimed he was trying to “con people into giving him their vote, just like he conned people into giving him their money”.
Mr Trump was repeatedly accused of being inconsistent on immigration, the war in Afghanistan, President George W Bush and was also pressed to move his clothing manufacturing back to the US from China and Mexico.
He admitted he changed his stance on issues but said flexibility was a strength.
Using graphics to illustrate the figures, Fox moderator Chris Wallace also pressed Mr Trump on whether his planned savings added up.
There were plenty of insults bandied about by the New York businessman, including “liar Ted” and “little Rubio”.
At the start of the debate, in one of a number of strange moments, Mr Trump defended the size of his hands and then alluded to another part of his anatomy.
Mr Kasich said he was the “only grown up on the stage” and with the best prospect of beating Mrs Clinton.
But the fact all three of Mr Trump’s competitors conceded they would support him, may only serve to bolster his already significant lead.
After his Super Tuesday success in seven states, there is an increasing air of inevitability about Mr Trump securing the nomination and a growing sense of chaos in the Republican party.
Credit: Sky News
