Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has slammed former President Donald Trump for his recent criticism of Israel and his praise for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
🔊 Listen to this article now
 |
| Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis slammed former President Trump for calling Hezbollah "smart" and criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP) |
In a speech at a campaign rally in Florida on Wednesday, Trump called Hezbollah "very smart" and said that Hamas would never have attacked Israel if the 2020 election wasn't "rigged" against him. He also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "letting him down" by not participating in the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
DeSantis condemned Trump's remarks, calling them "absurd" and saying that it was "unbelievable" that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose to "attack our friend and ally, Israel" after Hamas had killed more than 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans. He also vowed that "as President, I will stand with Israel and treat terrorists like the scum that they are."
Trump's comments on Hezbollah and Israel have been widely criticized by both Republicans and Democrats. The White House also issued a statement slamming Trump's remarks, saying that "the right time to praise the terrorists who seek to destroy Israel is never."
It is unclear why Trump made the comments he did about Hezbollah and Israel. Some have speculated that he was trying to appeal to his base of support, which includes a significant number of anti-Israel voters. Others have suggested that he was simply making controversial statements in order to get attention.
Regardless of his motives, Trump's comments have further damaged his relationship with the Republican Party establishment and have made it less likely that he will be able to win the party's nomination for President in 2024.
DeSantis's criticism of Trump is notable because he is one of the few Republican politicians who has publicly challenged the former president. In recent months, DeSantis has emerged as a leader of the anti-Trump wing of the Republican Party. He has been critical of Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
DeSantis's comments are also significant because they come at a time when the Republican Party is deeply divided over the issue of Israel. Trump's anti-Israel comments have alienated many pro-Israel Republicans, while some evangelical Christians continue to support him.
It remains to be seen whether DeSantis's criticism of Trump will have any impact on the 2024 Republican presidential primary. However, it is clear that DeSantis is positioning himself as a potential alternative to Trump.
.jpg)
0 Comments