Donald Trump leads US Republican TV debate

Donald Trump’s surge in the GOP was not a bubble to burst.

The first TV primary debate for the U.S. Republican party was hosted by Fox News Channel in Quicken Loans Arena, where the NBA`s Cleveland Cavaliers play, in the afternoon on Aug. 5 (local time). This is a venue to show an initial shape of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Out of 17 candidates, top 10 presidential hopefuls based on recent national polls including real estate mogul Donald Trump and former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush attended the TV debate.

It was Trump who dominated the debate. The forecast that his bubble would burst after being thoroughly validated at the debate turned out to be completely wrong. Some eval‍uate that the business tycoon has become a constant, not a variable, in the 2016 presidential election.

From the beginning, other candidates were hostile on Trump. But he successfully squared off and enjoyed a live TV debate aired across the nation. Standing in the center of the stage as a front runner in the GOP nomination based on recent polls, Trump was the only one who raised his hand when asked if any of the candidates would not pledge allegiance to the GOP candidate if they were not chosen. While the audience cheering and hooting, Trump stated, “I cannot say I have to respect the person that if it’s not me, the person that wins. I will not make the pledge at this time.” He did not rule out an independence run or the possibility of a third party bid when he failed to win in the primary.

The billionaire backed up his claims on the major issues he sparked controversies. About accusing undocumented Mexican immigrants of being rapists, Trump said, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be talking about illegal immigration.” He also rallied against “the stupid leaders and politicians” who failed to address illegal immigration issues well. “He’s already hedging his bets because he’s used to buying politicians,” Senator Rand Paul shouted across the stage. “I’ve given you plenty of money,” Trump shot back.

Local media forecasted that the brash billionaire’s surge will be stronger in the near future. “The onus was on his competitors to seize the spotlight, but none of them managed to change the dynamics in a race that Trump has dominated for more than a month. Trump’s reality show made so much sound.” The Hill, the media covering congress and politics, said, “Trump showed that he could take a punch, facing a number of tough questions.”