Trump blames Netanyahu for Hamas attacks, calls Hezbollah leaders 'very smart'

Donald Trump lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling a crowd of Florida supporters that the countries' intelligence failed, and its enemies were ''very smart."

"I'll never forget that Bibi Netanyahu let us down," Trump told a group of supporters Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Fla. "That was a very terrible thing."

Trump discussed the operation that killed Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani in early 2020. The former president said Israel now has to strengthen itself as it fights Hamas and other militant groups, including perhaps Iran.

Supporters of Israel said on social media said that the Soleimani operation was aided by Israeli intelligence, while others criticized Trump for criticizing Israel's government in the midst of a crisis.

'Hezbollah is very smart'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running against Trump for the Republican nomination, zeroed in on Trump's description of Hezbollah leaders as "very smart."

Noting that at least 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans have been killed in recent days, DeSantis said on the X website that "it is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah terrorists as 'very smart.' As President, I will stand with Israel and treat terrorists like the scum that they are."

During what was otherwise a campaign speech, Trump claimed that an unnamed U.S. official described Israel as being vulnerable from the north, and that kind of information would be helpful to adversaries.

"You know, Hezbollah is very smart - they're all very smart," Trump said at one point.

More criticism of Netanyahu

Trump also criticized Netanyahu in an interview on Fox News Radio, saying Israel was ill-prepared for the Hamas attack earlier this month.

"He has been hurt very badly because of what’s happened here," Trump told Brian Kilmeade of Fox News Radio. "He was not prepared. He was not prepared, and Israel was not prepared."

Republicans hit Trump for attacking Israel

Trump even linked the Israel attack to his false claims of a "rigged" U.S. election in 2020, and said the attack on Israel would not have happened if he was president.

Several Republicans noted that, after the 2020 election, Trump attacked Netanyahu for hailing Biden as the president-elect.

"It’s clear he’s angry at Netanyahu for recognizing Trump lost in 2020," said a statement from Never Back Down, a pro-DeSantis political action committee. " Trump puts himself first."

On the X social media site, the organization Republicans against Trump said: "As President Biden and the entire world stand in solidarity with Israel after the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history, Donald Trump has decided to attack Israel and its military. Unfit for office."

Democrats respond

Democrats denounced Trump’s comments.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates said that while “we don’t comment” on the 2024 races, “statements like this are dangerous and unhinged.”

Bates added: “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.”

Trump does not comment on Speaker's race

Trump's comments came during a rambling 100-minute speech in which he didn't say anything about his involvement in the snagged House Speaker's race, but instead predicted he would succeed in next year's presidential election.

"Everyone knows what the result is going to be," the former president told supporters gathered in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Last week, Trump injected himself into the speaker's race by endorsing Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. He also said he would travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with House Republicans about replacing ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Trump did not go to Washington and Jordan fell short in balloting among House Republicans who favored House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.

It is not yet Scalise's job. A number of House Republicans said they would continue to support Jordan, denying Scalise a necessary majority in a full House vote that includes Democrats.

Trump did not discuss any of this during his campaign speech. He mentioned Jordan's name only in connection with his work in Congress.

He also praised Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the most outspoken member of the eight House Republicans who triggered McCarthy's removal as speaker.

Campaign speech

For the most part, Trump focused on his own 2024 presidential campaign before a group called Club 47 USA. If Trump wins next year, he would be the 47th president, only the second to serve non-consecutive terms.

The standard campaign speech featured all-out attacks on President Joe Biden, with an emphasis to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. He also hit Biden over the economy, his son Hunter Biden, and border security.

Trump, as is custom, also bragged about poll numbers that show him way ahead of his Republican rivals for the 2024 presidential nomination. He mocked his opponents for debating without him, and said Republican voters are not paying attention to them.

"Everyone knows what the result is going to be," Trump said.

He also complained about his legal issues. He faces four criminal trials and three civil lawsuits The criminal cases include hush money, the handling of classified information, and efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump sounds off on Netanyahu, Israel amid war with Hamas