'Donald Trump respects terrorists': Critics slam ex-president for Hezbollah comments

Donald Trump spoke to a small group of supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Wednesday night, and called Hezbollah "smart." The move comes after Hamas, the group most countries consider a terrorist organization, orchestrated a brutal attack on Israel.

The comments drew attacks from President Joe Biden, who said that there's nothing positive anyone can say about a terrorist group.

Others were just as harsh, asking what Trump could possibly be thinking after spending years being a supporter of Israel.

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"After Hamas slaughters hundreds of Jewish families, and Israel confronts an unprecedented security crisis, Donald Trump attacks the Israeli govt and praises Hezbollah terrorists," said former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WI). "Are Republicans really going to nominate this dangerous man to be President of the United States?"

The voter registration group Vote Vets recalled Trump calling American soldiers "suckers" and "losers," linking it to his support for Hezbollah.

"But Hezbollah? They're 'very smart,'" the group said. "Donald Trump respects terrorists more than our own Troops. And the @GOP supports him for President."

The progressive group Meidas Touch crafted a super-cut of the Trump speech Wednesday night showing Trump not only called Hezbollah "very smart," but he also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, attacked Benjamin Netanyahu, and called the Israeli Defense Minister a "jerk."

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi responded to Trump's comments Wednesday night. “Shameful that a man like that, a former U.S. president, abets propaganda… We don’t have to bother with him and the nonsense he spouts," he said.

"Trump showed a secret Iran attack document from General Milley at Bedminster that he surely had shared with others- like Russia," wrote influencer Tom Joseph. "Now Iran starts a war w/ its Hamas proxy. Israel will need US help to destroy targets in Iran and protect from a Hezbollah rocket barrage. Iran probably has US military plans- from Trump to Putin to Iran. Trump has endangered our military w/ his treason."

"I mean, praising Hezbollah, just like he praised Vladimir Putin," said an angry Joe Scarborough on Thursday morning. "He's out of his mind. And the fact that Republicans are embracing this guy is absolutely crazy."

Former Republican presidential candidate Will Hurd, who dropped out this week, knocked Trump, too. "If you were outraged by the squad refusing to denounce Hamas, then you should be outraged by Trump praising Hezbollah."

Olivia Troye, the homeland security aide for ex-Vice President Mike Pence, wondered if Trump has simply forgotten what the group does.

"Perhaps Trump needs to be reminded about our own country's history with the group, such as their attacks on our US Marine Barracks and that they're a U.S. designated foreign terrorist organization," she posted. "How does all of this horrid rhetoric square now with those who claim to stand by Israel while still standing by Trump?"

Daily Beast columnist Wajahat Ali suggested that reporters ask Republicans if they stand with Trump when it comes to Hezbollah.

"Here's an easy tip for anchors and journalists: ask Republicans if they agree with Trump’s comments regarding Israel, Netanyahu and Hezbollah," he said. "It'll be great TV and help with clicks bc the gymnastics they're going to have to do on live TV will make Cirque du Soleil look childish."

The attacks continue to roll in while supporters of Trump are claiming it was taken out of context and anyone who believes Trump said Hezbollah was "smart" was an idiot. Even in the extended clip Trump still says Hezbollah is "very smart, the press doesn't like it when I say that." The context doesn't negate what he said, only that it was within an attack on Biden's intelligence officials.