Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE attacked the Bush family during the Republican presidential debate Saturday night, accusing the George W. Bush administration of lying to the public before going to war in Iraq.

"Obviously the war in Iraq was a big, fat mistake," Trump said, launching into a fierce critique of rival Jeb Bush's brother.

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"George Bush made a mistake," the billionaire continued. "Obviously we can make mistakes, but that one was a beauty."

"We should have never been in Iraq," Trump added. "They lied, they said there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none and they knew that there were none."

Jeb Bush aggressively defended his brother.

"I'm sick and tired of Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon Trump appointees stymie recommendations to boost minority voting: report Obama's first presidential memoir, 'A Promised Land,' set for November release MORE blaming my brother for all the problems that he's had and frankly I could care less about the insults Donald Trump gives against me," the former Florida governor said.

"I'm sick and tired of him going after my family. My dad is the greatest man alive in my mind," Bush continued, referencing former President George H.W. Bush.

Trump didn't relent, interjecting that the "World Trade Center came down" under his brother's watch, prompting a chorus of boos in the debate hall.

"This is just crazy. This is just nuts. Geez, oh man," Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio), who spoke next, said of the exchange.

George W. Bush is slated to make his first appearance on the campaign trail on behalf of Jeb Bush on Monday in South Carolina, which holds the next round of voting in the GOP race.

Bush and Trump repeatedly clashed during the debate. Before the slugfest on the Iraq War, Bush criticized Trump for supporting a partnership with Russia to take on terrorists in Syria, calling the idea "ludicrous."



"Jeb is so wrong, just so you understand," Trump said as boos erupted in the crowd.

"You know who that is, that's Jeb's special interests and lobbyists talking," Trump responded.



"You gotta fight ISIS first," he continued. "You can't fight two wars at one time. That's why we've been in the Middle East for 15 years and we haven't won anything. We've spent $5 trillion in the Middle East because of thinking like that."



He was repeatedly interrupted by loud booing, to which Trump responded, "I only tell the truth, lobbyists."

The exchange with Bush quickly devolved into a shouting match, with moderator John Dickerson ultimately forcing the candidates to drop the topic.



"Let's leave it there so I can ask a question of [Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzLoeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Health care in the crosshairs with new Trump Supreme Court list 'Parks and Rec' cast members hosting special reunion to raise money for Wisconsin Democrats MORE], who's also running for president," Dickerson said.

—Katie Williams contributed.