Donald Trump, dominant in first official debate of campaign season

Key moments included:

• “I don’t have time for total political correctness,” said Mr Trump, when asked about misogynistic remarks
• Jeb Bush called Mr Trump a divisive figure over comments he made about immigrants
• In a testy exchange, Chris Christie attacked Rand Paul over surveillance curbs
• All candidates condemned nuclear deal with Iran
• Join Isis against America and you sign your death warrant, said Ted Cruz
• Scott Walker defended his strict opposition to abortion under any circumstances
• John Kasich said he would support and accept his daughter if she was gay

Mr Trump stumbled on his past support for a national healthcare system but his most uncomfortable moment came when moderator Megyn Kelly challenged him on his views about women.

“You’ve called women you don’t like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals,” she said.

He answered by joking that he only said that about actress Rosie O’Donnell and stating that political correctness was one of the country’s biggest problems.

The crowd became hostile when Mr Trump said he would run as an independent, an admission that enraged Mr Paul. “He buys and sells politicians of all stripes,” said the senator.

One of the loudest rounds of applause was for Mr Rubio when he mocked Hillary Clinton, who leads the Democratic field.

“First let me say, I think God has blessed us. He’s blessed the Republican Party with some very good candidates. The Democrats can’t even find one.”

On Thursday, the Democratic Party announced it would hold its first debate in Nevada in October, hosted by CNN.

By next summer, each party will have a presidential nominee who will do battle in the race for the White House. Votes will finally be cast in November 2016.

The Republican field is one of the largest in recent years. Seven other candidates took part in an earlier debate that featured several attacks on Mr Trump.

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry said the former reality show presenter was running a campaign based on celebrity, while former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina mocked him over his Clinton ties.

While the debates were going on, Ms Clinton was in Los Angeles for a campaign fundraising event attended by several celebrities, including reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her husband, musician Kanye West.

Ms Kardashian tweeted a picture of her and her husband posing with Mrs Clinton, saying: “I got my selfie!!!”

(BBC)