Well, almost. No one hit anybody. But Bush finally challenged Trump as forcefully as he needed to three debates ago. And Trump gave us some beautiful facial expressions showing the strength and maturity he would bring to the White House.
The fight began when Trump defended his call to kill the family members of terrorists. Bush said that was silly. “The idea that that is a solution to this is just crazy.” Then Bush said Trump said “ISIS is not our fight” on September 30. Trump is not serious, he said.
But Trump is very serious about toughness! “The problem is we need toughness. Honestly, I think Jeb is a very nice person, he’s a very nice person. But we need tough people. We need toughness.” Then he attacked Bush as being soft on immigration from Mexico, because it’s all the same to him. Bush interrupted: “You said on September 30th that ISIS was not a factor.” Trump did not like this.
Trump: Am I talking or are you talking, Jeb?
Jeb: I’m talking right now.
Trump: You can go ahead.
Jeb: I’m talking.
Trump: You interrupted me!
Jeb: ... September 30th ...
Trump: Will you apologize Jeb? No. Am I allowed to finish? Am I allowed to finish? So...
Jeb: Little bit of your own medicine, huh?
Trump: I know you’re trying to build up your energy. Not working. We need toughness. We need strength, we’re not respected as a nation anymore ...
Jeb: Donald, you’re not going to be able to insult your way to the presidency. That’s not going to happen. And I do have the strength!
Later in the debate, the two returned to toughness. “This is a tough business,” Jeb said. “Oh yeah you’re a tough guy Jeb. Real tough.” Trump shot back. And a bit later: “Well I’m at 42 and you’re at 3!” Trump said, referring to poll numbers, like a true manly man hero. “Pretty soon you’ll be off the stage!”