Republican debate: Trump v Bush and Cruz v Rubio as tempers flare – as it happened

And, we’re back! Once again, first question from the ad break is for Trump. He’s asked about how changing one’s mind is Reaganesque for Trump, and flip-flopping when Rubio does it.

In answer, Trump says that Reagan “made many of the same changes that I made.”

Unforced, he brings up eminent domain, something about which Republican establishment have hit him hard.

Ad break Twitter roundup:

14 Feb 201622.20 EST

James Pethokoukis

Let’s call the immigration questions the “let’s alienate all non-white” voters portion of the debate. It’s also the part off the debate where – if he were still in the race – Chris Christie would jump in with his “all these senators do is talk about arcane amendments” bit. (It is exactly what Jeb did!)

It was also another squandered opportunity for Trump to walk back his harsh immigration comments from last summer – but that’s not happening.

Oh, and does Trump really, really dislike Bush: it’s palpable in way that’s not evident when he talks about Cruz and Rubio.

The Kasich plan to legalize undocumented immigrants without granting citizenship is an interesting middle ground between “deport them all” and the path to citizenship usually derided by Republicans as “amnesty” that might get further exploration if the next president is an Republican – even if that president is not Kasich.

A question to Trump, about a promised tax on industries which move abroad, “where do you think you get the authority?”

“I would build consensus with congress,” promises Trump, Consensus-Builder-In-Chief. “So stay where you are, and build in the United States.”

Crucial Trump vs Jeb Bush “mooning” comment update:

The debate so far, summed-up by our very own Ben Jacobs, on the scene in Greenville:

The Guardian is briefly unable to confirm whether or not Ben Carson is still on the stage.

Oh, there he is! He’s asked a question about prosecution of financial executives.

“First of all, please go to my website and read my immigration policy,” Carson says in answer, again.

“Because, it actually makes sense!”

14 Feb 201622.15 EST

Megan Carpentier

Jeb Bush just stated that Donald Trump is “weak”, because, in part, he callde Senator John McCain “weak”. Trump, of course, denied it.

Well, let the record reflect what Trump did say in July 2015:

He’s not a war hero ... He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured, OK? I hate to tell you. He’s a war hero because he was captured, OK? And I believe — perhaps he’s a war hero. But right now, he’s said some very bad things about a lot of people.

And, the week before those comments, he said this:

I’ve supported John McCain, but he’s very weak on immigration.

“I think we’re fixin’ to lose the election to Hillary Clinton if we don’t stop this,” says John Kasich, Voice Of Reason.

Trump is now claiming ownership of illegal immigration as a topic. “If I didn’t bring it up, we wouldn’t even be talking about it.”

Then he turns the Eye of Sauron on to Jeb. “The weakest person on this stage is Jeb Bush.”

“It’s weak to disparage women. It’s weak to denigrate the disabled,” Bush hits back.

Trump: “two days ago he said he would take his pants off and moon everybody.” Unconfirmed.