Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Condemns Former President Donald Trump for Praising Hezbollah Terrorists

In a post on social media last night, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized former President Donald Trump for his remarks about Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.

At a political rally on Wednesday, Trump said Netanyahu “let us down” before the U.S. killed top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020, and said Israeli leaders need to “step up their game.” Trump also called the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah ”very smart.”

DeSantis condemned Trump’s remarks, saying it was “absurd” for anyone, much less someone running for President, to attack Israel and praise Hezbollah terrorists. He noted that terrorists have murdered at least 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans and are holding more hostage.

DeSantis is the first of Trump’s 2024 opponents to rebuke him for his comments, and his criticism comes as something of a surprise. Trump is currently the front-runner for the GOP nomination, and DeSantis’ attack could be seen as a sign of his own ambitions for the White House.

The Governor’s remarks have sparked a debate about the US relationship with Israel and the role of terrorism in the region. It remains to be seen how Trump and other potential 2024 candidates will respond to DeSantis’ criticism.