Donald Trump's Biggest Smackdowns And Quotes About His GOP Presidential Rivals

Donald Trump climbed atop the polls, and has stayed there, on a near-constant stream of personal attacks against fellow Republican candidates. Coming into the second GOP debate, Trump is the clear front-runner, although Dr. Ben Carson, the former pediatric neurosurgeon, has been gaining on the real estate magnate. The question at Wednesday night's debate is whether the billionaire will continue ridiculing his rivals and, if so, whether that will protect or even extend his lead.

Nine other candidates are set to join Trump and Carson at the Ronald Reagan Library in California, which CNN will air beginning at 8 p.m. EDT. Those nine are Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul, Scott Walker, John Kasich and Carly Fiorina. A debate featuring four other GOP candidates, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki and Lindsey Graham, airs at 6 p.m. on CNN.

Here's a look at Trump's best burns, smackdowns and quotes about the 15 politicians -- and Rick Perry, who bowed out of the race -- vying for the nomination.

Ben Carson

Trump has recently taken a shot at Carson after the surgeon questioned his faith. Trump called Carson an "OK doctor" in a Sept. 10 interview with CNN. "He makes [Jeb] Bush look like the Energizer Bunny," Trump said.

Carly Fiorina

Trump vs. Fiorina will be a focal point of Wednesday's Republican debate following his comments about her appearance. "Look at that face!" Trump said in a recent Rolling Stone interview. "Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?!" Trump previously discussed Fiorina's voice on Twitter.

Jeb Bush

Bush has been a popular target for Trump. The former Florida governor was mocked for his "low-energy" appearances.

Marco Rubio

Unlike with Jeb, Trump has taken it easy on Rubio. Trump challenged Rubio's "weak" immigration policy in a recent appearance in Iowa. "By the way, I have better hair than he does, believe me. And it is my hair," Trump said.

Chris Christie

The New Jersey governor has yet to be hit by Trump, but that could change following recent comments. Christie did not attack Trump directly -- a quick way to get noticed -- but questioned the wall-to-wall coverage in an interview with Megyn Kelly on "The Kelly Files." Christie said Bush and Trump were throwing "schoolyard insults" in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN last week.

Rand Paul

Paul can't avoid the verbal burns by Trump. The GOP front-runner has more than once used "lightweight" to describe Paul. "You’re having a hard time tonight," Trump said during the first debate.

Scott Walker

Trump's attacks on Walker have focused on the Wisconsin governor's record. "Wisconsin’s doing terribly. It’s in turmoil. The roads are a disaster because they don’t have any money to rebuild them. They’re borrowing money like crazy. They projected a $1 billion surplus, and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion," Trump said at an Iowa rally in July.

Mike Huckabee

The former Baptist minister and Arkansas governor has said several times he does not want to engage in a verbal sparring match with Trump. As such, he's remained out of Trump's crosshairs.

Ted Cruz

The Texas senator was another candidate who has dodged Trump's ire. In fact, Cruz even appeared with Trump at a rally protesting the Iran deal.

John Kasich

The Ohio governor's Lehman Brothers past was the subject of Trump's harshest attack.

George Pataki

Trump, as a native New Yorker, had plenty to say about the Empire State's former governor.

Bobby Jindal

Jindal's poor numbers made him an easy target for Trump.

Rick Santorum

Santorum's tactic of backing Trump appears to be paying off. The former Pennsylvania senator has avoided any insults.

Lindsey Graham

Trump revealed Graham's cellphone number during a South Carolina rally in July.

Rick Perry

Perry's intelligence was the subject of Trump's harshest insults. "He put on glasses so people will think he’s smart. And it just doesn’t work! You know people can see through the glasses," Trump said in July.