The real estate magnate was exasperated and unfiltered during at 95-minute speech in Iowa on Thursday evening, going hard against his main GOP rival and others.
There will be a renewed focus on a surging Ben Carson, while Jeb Bush needs a strong performance during the debate — which is focused on the economy — to assuage nervous donors.
"We have a problem in this country," the town hall attendee said. "It's called Muslims. We know our current president is one." Trump's political rivals denounced his response (or lack thereof).
With the prime-time debate field now at 11, the presidential front-runner will have even more attackers to try to fend off. And CNN is encouraging the sparring Wednesday night.
Facing a drop in polls and on the defensive, the former Florida governor is trying to find his swagger by attacking Trump. But it's an uncomfortable position for the nonconfrontational Bush.