The moment anti-Trump conservatives have been waiting for finally arrived in last night’s debate, in which the front-runner was literally attacked from all sides by Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who flanked him on the stage.
The two senators, who normally stick to attacking each other, joined forces several times to hit Trump on the issues — from immigration to health care to foreign policy — emphasizing his hypocrisy, lack of experience, and questionable policy proposals.
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While Cruz and Trump have battled in past debates, this is the first time Rubio has really taken swings at the front-runner. The change in strategy came at a crucial time — Thursday’s debate was the final chance for the candidates to face-off before the slew of primary races on Tuesday that could either seal the deal for a Trump nomination, or clear the path for one of the other candidates to surge forward.
Let’s take a look at some of the top Trump burns Rubio and Cruz landed during the debate.
1. He’s a hypocrite on immigration
Rubio criticized the real estate mogul for hiring illegal immigrants instead of Americans to work on his building projects.
“If he builds the wall the way he built Trump tower he’ll be using illegal immigrants to do it,” Rubio said.
Rubio also pointed out Trump’s flip-flop on “self-deportation,” a policy he criticized Mitt Romney for during his 2012 campaign.
Cruz didn’t miss the opportunity to pile on, adding that while he himself fought against the “gang of eight” immigration reform effort in the Senate, Trump was firing Dennis Rodman on “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Rubio: If Trump builds the wall the way he built Trump Tower, he’ll be using illegal immigrant labor #GOPDebate https://t.co/DBVk3dFpIH
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 26, 2016
2. He’s also a hypocrite on trade
If you’ve ever listened to a Donald Trump speech, you know his rhetoric on the trade imbalance between America and China and his calls for a massive tariff on Chinese exports. Rubio quipped that Trump’s own clothing line is made in China and Mexico.
“You’re going to start a trade war against your own ties and suits,” he said.
3. He repeats the same talking points
Rubio was ridiculed for repeating the same point over and over in the New Hampshire debate, but last night he was able to turn the tables on Trump.
“I see him repeat himself every night,” Rubio said. “He says five things: ‘Everyone’s dumb, he’s going to make America great again, he’s gonna win win win, he’s winning in the polls, and the lines around the states.”
When Trump was pressed for details about his health care plan, he couldn’t come up with anything other than getting rid of the barriers around the states to increase competition.
CNN moderator offered him the chance to expound on his health care reform proposal.
“There’s nothing to add,” Trump replied. “What’s to add?”
.@marcorubio & @realDonaldTrump: He’s repeating himself. No, HE’S repeating himself. https://t.co/xRsP634FFg https://t.co/oZgT4Yvam9
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 26, 2016
4. He supports universal government-funded health care, and lied about it
Trump struggled to articulate his health care plan last night in more ways than one. Cruz called him on it.
“True or false,” Cruz asked, “you’ve said the government should pay for everyone’s health care.”
“False,” Trump replied, despite that fact that he advocated for such a proposal in a “60 Minutes” interview last fall.
As president, I’ll fight for a #FullRepeal of Obamacare. As for @realDonaldTrump, watch…https://t.co/V5LeanSPbb
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 26, 2016
5. He treats the Israeli-Palestinian conflict like a real estate deal
Cruz and Rubio both asserted their firm support for Israel during last night’s foreign policy discussions, while Trump refused to take a definitive side, saying he would be a neutral broker in peace negotiations.
“The Palestinians are not a real estate deal,” Rubio said. “A deal is not a deal when you’re dealing with terrorists.”
“A deal is not a deal when you’re dealing with terrorists.” – @marcorubio #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/vDasRC18FT
— Team Marco (@TeamMarco) February 26, 2016
Rubio continued to rip Trump in a Texas rally Friday morning, urging attendees to persuade their friends who are Trump supporters to change their minds.
“Friends don’t let friends vote for con artists,” Rubio said.
Rubio also read Trump’s Twitter feed out out loud, pointing out the multitude of spelling errors.
