Trump campaign defends Hezbollah remarks: ‘Smart does not equal good’

Donald Trump’s campaign defended the former president’s remarks calling the militant group Hezbollah “smart” during a rally this week, arguing “smart does not equal good.” 

Trump has faced backlash from several political figures for comments made during a speech with supporters Wednesday in Florida, in which he criticized Israel’s lack of preparedness for the widespread attacks from the militant group Hamas. He slammed the Israeli defense minister for issuing a warning to Hezbollah against attacking Israel in the north, saying that Hezbollah is “very smart” and would do so.

On Thursday, the campaign and a Trump adviser sought to defend and clarify Trump’s remarks, saying he was not praising Hezbollah. 

“President Trump was clearly pointing out how incompetent Biden and his administration were by telegraphing to the terrorists an area that is susceptible to an attack. Smart does not equal good,” read a tweet from the campaign’s “War Room” account. 

“It just proves Biden is stupid. And now you look stupid, Ron,” the tweet continued, referring to President Biden and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. 

Both Biden and DeSantis had previously chimed in to denounce Trump’s comments. 

“Our nation’s support for Israel is resolute and unwavering. And the right time to praise the terrorists who seek to destroy them is never,” Biden said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

A Biden campaign spokesperson called Trump’s comments “sickening rhetoric” that show Trump is “too dangerous to lead the United States on the world stage.” 

DeSantis said Trump’s comments were “absurd” in the aftermath of the deaths of more than 1,000 Israelis and with numerous Americans being held captive by Hamas. 

“Terrorists have murdered at least 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans and are holding more hostage, so 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,’” DeSantis said on X. 

Trump senior adviser Jason Miller said on X that the Biden administration is continually highlighting “weaknesses and project incompetence.” He quoted a statement from a senior U.S. defense official’s press briefing from Monday, in which they said, “We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict.” 

Hezbollah is a Lebanese militant group that has been recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom and many other countries. 

In the aftermath of Hamas launching its surprise attack on Israel and Israel responding with airstrikes and a counteroffensive in Hamas-controlled Gaza, concerns have been raised about Hezbollah getting involved in the conflict and attacking Israel from the north. 

An Israeli Military spokesperson has warned Hazbollah of “very severe consequences” if it gets involved in the conflict.

Hezbollah has fired rockets into Israel in recent days.