DONALD Trump faced down fierce attacks from all sides during a fiery second Republican presidential debate in the US, in front of a tv audience of millions.
The billionaire businessman, who has no political experience, began the debate with a bang, by refusing to apologise over comments he made about the wife of fellow White House candidate, Jeb Bush.
With more than a year until polling day, the debate in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California saw Mr Bush and Mr Trump trade numerous blows.
Standing centre stage, the business mogul, who is the party’s front-runner in the contest, said he had a "phenomenal temperament" and a record in business that would help him on the world stage.
The former reality TV star’s rise in popularity, which is said to have unnerved Republican leaders, has been attributed to a frustration among voters, who want change in Washington.
During the debate, Jeb Bush confronted Mr Trump over comments he had made about his wife, a US citizen born in Mexico.
Mr Trump has suggested Mr Bush is too soft on America's immigration crisis because of his wife.
Mr Bush said bringing his wife into the debate had been "completely inappropriate", adding "..I hope you apologise for that Donald."
However, Mr Trump replied: "No, I won't do that because I said nothing wrong, but I do hear she's a lovely woman."
Mr Trump also found himself under pressure when the audience burst into applause in support of the only woman in the race, former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina, after his recent jibes about her looks.
Speaking in Rolling Stones magazine, Mr Trump had said: "Look at that face. Would anyone vote for that. Can you imagine that as the face of our next president?"
Mr Trump later said he was talking about her persona, not her appearance.
Carly Fiorina, the only woman in the Republican race, responded during the debate by saying: "You know it's interesting to me. I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr Trump said."
Fellow candidate Rand Paul also spoke out to cite concerns about Mr Trump’s "careless language" and attacks on people's looks.
However, Mr Trump predictably shook off the comments, choosing instead to tell the audience: "I say, not in a braggadocious way, I've made billions and billions of dollars."
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson also managed to speak out from among the crowded stage to simply state he did not "lick the boots of billionaires".
Fifteen Republicans are vying to be the party's White House nominee in 2016.
