Trump scrambles to shore up support from Jewish leaders after praising Hezbollah

Former President Donald Trump has been working hard to control damage done by his criticism of Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and praise of the Lebanese terrorism group Hezbollah as "very smart," according to a new report.

Vanity Fair's Gabriel Sherman reports Trump's appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas last weekend, where he presented himself as the most pro-appearance pro-Israel candidate in the 2024, was a prime example of such "damage control."

The appearance came on the heels of Trump's comments, which made national headlines in the wake of Hamas's deadly surprise attack on Oct. 7, and spurred a bipartisan outcry.

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Trump's advisers are now worried those comments will hurt his standing with pro-Israel voters, Sherman reports. That's why Trump has been scrambling to short up support from Jewish leaders, reminding them of his pro-Israel record and trying to explain his comments about Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, and in private, Republicans are praising President Joe Biden's support for Israel, which they see as a win-win, according to Sherman.

Writes Sherman, "[Biden] is giving Republicans a policy they favor while at the same time alienating progressive voters."

Read the full article over at Vanity Fair.