The first debate of the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign did not disappoint, as 10 of the top Republican candidates faced off Thursday in a spirited and sometimes feisty dialogue in Cleveland, Ohio.

The debate, broadcast on Fox News, was expected to draw a massive TV audience, thanks in part to the presence of Donald Trump, the colorful, blunt-speaking billionaire real estate mogul and reality television star.

The event quickly lived up to its expectations. In the opening minutes, moderator Megyn Kelly challenged Trump on his past insulting and crude comments towards women.

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

“Only Rosie O’Donnell,” interrupted Trump, referring to the comedian and actress whom he has frequently sparred with in the past.

When further pressed on the issue, Trump continued: “I think the big problem that this country has is being politically correct. I’ve been challenged by so many people, and I frankly don’t have time for total political correctness, and to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either. This country is in big trouble. We don’t win anymore.”

Trump’s comment raised eyebrows among analysts on Twitter:

For her own part, O’Donnell responded with a brief comment:

Analysts were mixed on the issue of whether the debate performance will help or hurt the chances of Trump, who is leading in most recent opinion polls.

In the earlier debate featuring candidates that did not meet Fox News’ polling threshold, many saw former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina as the clear winner.

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Fiorina was also seen as the clear winner according to a measurement of how often her and other candidates’ names were searched on Google during the earlier debate.

The two leading Democratic presidential candidates, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Governor Bernie Sanders, also followed along.

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​The first Democratic debate is set to take place on October 13.
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