Live updates from the Republican debate

Asked about recent statements they’ve made on the 2016 campaign trail, Trump and Cruz both played nice on the Republican debate stage Tuesday night. CNN is airing the debate, which begins at 8:30 p.m. EST and will also be offering full coverage, starting at 5 p.m. EST. All eyes are on Donald Trump and Ted Cruz’s seemingly amicable relationship. His newest test, at least in the leadoff Iowa caucus, comes from Texas Sen.

Republican organizations will conduct viewing parties at five sites in Los Angeles County, including Santa Monica, for Tuesday’s debate involving the party’s top nine presidential candidates.

Also on the main stage Tuesday night were former business executive Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Kentucky Sen. Rick Santorum, South Carolina Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who sparred with Cruz repeatedly over national security.

As I have done with most of the debates, I will be live tweeting tonight’s GOP Main Debate at #GOPDebate on Twitter.

To Carson’s right will be Florida Sen. Rand Paul. Four lower-polling candidates appeared at an earlier event: former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Sen. Lindsey Graham and former New York Gov. George Pataki. They can’t have notes, props or cell phones at the lecterns.

Live streaming presidential debates has become a staple in broadcasting such events.

CNN previously hosted the Democratic debate in October, drawing 15.3 million viewers.

The debate revealed the party’s internal debate over national security, divided between the desire to lash out at the Islamic State and concerns over civil liberties that arose in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks. In CNN’s Facebook post asking for audience questions, the media company offered suggested topics, including “gun control, terrorism or how to keep America safe”. They were especially lauded for calling out candidates when they refused to answer questions.