Cooper Allen

USA TODAY

Donald Trump and Ted Cruz were bound to square off at Thursday's GOP debate now that the two have emerged as the leading contenders for the party's presidential nomination — and particularly in Iowa.

Their growing popped up again during a discussion of "New York values."

Cruz, a Texas senator, had recently tried to knock Trump's conservative credentials by saying he represents "New York values." He was asked to explain.

"The concept of New York values is not that complicated to figure out," Cruz said. He cited an interview Trump had given with Tim Russert where he listed views that wouldn't be embraced by conservative voters. He said Trump had said that's "what we believe in New York."

"Not a lot of conservatives come out of Manhattan," Cruz said. "I'm just saying."

The New York billionaire grew serious in his response.

"Conservatives actually do come out of Manhattan," Trump said, citing William F. Buckley and adding that Cruz had "insulted a lot of people."

He went on to extoll the virtues of New York, then pivoted to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the challenges New York faced.

"The people in New York fought and fought and fought," Trump said, explaining how the world "loved New York and loved New Yorkers."

"I have to tell you, that was a very insulting statement that Ted made," Trump concluded.

Cruz, of course, seemingly caught off guard, applauded during Trump's praise of New York's resilience during the attacks.

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