White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates called Trump’s comments “dangerous and intemperate.”
Bates said, “It is completely beyond our understanding why any American would praise an Iran-backed terrorist organization as ‘smart’.”
Democratic President Joe Biden condemned the Hamas attack as a “sheer evil act” and declared his unwavering support for Israel.
“This is the time for all of us to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel against ‘undeniable evil,’” Bates said Thursday. “That’s what the president is doing.”
On Thursday evening, Trump issued a statement saying that “Israel has never had a better friend or ally” than when he was US president.
Many of Trump’s opponents in the Republican contest also criticized the former president.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on social media, “It is absurd that anyone, anyone running for president, would now want to attack our friend and ally, Israel, despite Hezbollah terrorists being ‘too smart.’ It is a far cry to praise in form.”
Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, another 2024 rival, said in New Hampshire: “This is not the time for any former president or any other American leader to send any message except that America stands with Israel. “
Former Arkansas governor and Republican 2024 candidate Asa Hutchinson said on We should praise the terrorists.”