Recent speech delivered to a gathering of approximately 4,000 members of “Club 47 USA” at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, former President Donald Trump made comments that have ignited a storm of controversy. During his speech, Trump referred to Hezbollah as “smart,” drawing a sharp response from the Biden administration.
Trump’s speech was filled with attention-grabbing moments, but it was a specific portion that drew immediate backlash from a senior aide to President Joe Biden. In this segment, Trump criticized the recent surge in violence following a coordinated terrorist assault by Hamas on Israel.
While attacking the Biden administration, Trump repeatedly praised Hezbollah, stating, “And then two nights ago, I read all of Biden’s security people. Can you imagine national defense people? And they said, ‘Gee, I hope Hezbollah doesn’t attack from the north because that’s the most vulnerable spot.’ I said, wait a minute. You know, Hezbollah is very smart. They’re all very smart. The press doesn’t like when they say (indistinct) you know…”
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Trump’s comments about Hezbollah being “very smart” raised eyebrows, as he continued, “But Hezbollah, they’re very smart, and they have a national defense minister or somebody saying, ‘I hope Hezbollah doesn’t attack us from the north.’ So the following morning, they attacked. They might not have been doing it, but if you listen to this jerk, you would attack from the north because he said, ‘That’s our weak spot.’ Whoever heard of officials saying on television that they hope the enemy doesn’t attack in a certain area?”
White House senior communications adviser Andrew Bates responded to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that they do not comment on matters related to the 2024 election. Bates stated in a message to Mediaite, “Statements like this are dangerous and unhinged. It’s completely lost on us why any American would ever praise an Iran-backed terrorist organization as ‘smart’ or have any objection to the United States warning terrorists not to attack Israel. Especially now as Israel is fighting back against one of the worst acts of mass murder in the country’s history. This is a time for all of us to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel against ‘unadulterated evil.’ That’s what the President is doing as commander in chief.
Bates also took to Twitter to criticize Trump’s comments, sharing a clip of the speech with a concise comment.
We don't comment on 2024.
Calling an Iran-backed terrorist group "smart" – especially at a time like this – is unhinged and sickening.
Why in God's name would any American do that? https://t.co/37ZFLx4kCQ
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) October 12, 2023
