DHAKA: US Presidential contender Donald Trump has come under attack at a Republican debate, hours after being hammered by some of the party's veteran politicians.
The front-runner in the race to be the party's nominee took to the stage in Detroit with rivals Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz keen to make their mark, reports the BBC.
Rubio said Trump deserved to be attacked because he had mocked others.
Many Republicans fear Trump would lose November's presidential election.
Mitt Romney, the 2012 nominee, earlier lambasted the businessman.
"Think of Donald Trump's personal qualities, the bullying, the greed, the showing off, the misogyny, the absurd third grade theatrics," said Romney.
Calling him a "phony" and a "fraud", the former standard-bearer of the party said Trump's policies - like the deportation of undocumented migrants and banning Muslims from entering the US - would make the world less safe.
Other senior Republicans like Paul Ryan, John McCain and a host of national security committee members have also attacked the New Yorker since he cemented his front-runner status on Super Tuesday.
Trump, a billionaire with no experience of political office, has won 10 of the 15 states that have voted so far, with his promise to "make America great again".
Texas Senator Cruz, with four states, and Florida Senator Rubio, with one, joined Trump on stage at 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT) after days of launching blistering attacks on the businessman.
BDST: 0845 HRS, MAR 03, 2016
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** Romney calls Donald rump a 'phony, a fraud'
