'Loyalty is a one-way street': Analyst predicts 'some' MAGA fans could reject Trump after Hezbollah praise
Ex-President Donald Trump received criticism from his GOP allies, including former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Thursday after he publicly praised the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah, calling them "very smart."
CNN's Jake Tapper spoke with CNN special correspondent Jamie Gangel about whether Trump's comments could potentially turn away his supporters, and tarnish his campaign.
Gangel said, "I mean, this is classic Donald Trump. And it's really about petty grievances. What do we know about Donald Trump? Loyalty is a one-way street. And I would say that this was not about [ex-Iranian military officer] Qasem Soleimani. This is about one thing you mentioned, which is, 'Oh my goodness, [Prime Minister of Israel] Benjamin Netanyahu picked up the phone and congratulated [President] Joe Biden when he won the election,' which to Donald Trump's mind, is the worst possible thing you could do."
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Tapper replied, "Trump's comments are drawing some criticism. Liz Cheney tweeted 'after Hamas slaughters hundreds of Jewish families and Israel confronts an unprecedented security crisis Donald Trump attacks the Israeli government and praises Hezbollah terrorists. Are Republicans really going to nominate this dangerous man to be president of the united states?' and here is what [Florida] Governor Ron Desantis told reporters."
In the video, DeSantis said, "Now's not the time to be doing like what Donald Trump did, by attacking Prime Minister BB Netanyahu, by attacking Israel's defense minister, saying somehow that Hezbollah were very smart. We need to all be on the same page. Now's not the time to air personal grievances about an Israeli prime minister."
Tapper said, "I mean, Donald Trump disagrees. He thinks it is the time for personal grievances. Do you think Republicans — you know, I 'm not even going to ask. Should I ask? Should I ask you?
Gangel commented, "Go ahead! Yes."
Tapper went on to ask, "Will this make a difference with Republican voters? Honestly, every time I ask that question somebody should fine me $100."
READ MORE: 'Shameful': Trump’s praise of Hezbollah terrorists denounced by Israeli gov’t official
Gangel said, "I'm going to answer it slightly differently from the way you're used to. First of all, we don't know yet. Secondly, Trump's base seems to be willing to stick with him through thick, through thin, through 91 indictments. So why should this change anything? Except, there are Trump supporters, Christian evangelicals, Jews, supporters of Israel who may not like this. Mike Pence, who was picked because of his, you know, background with Christian evangelicals, said today, 'Hezbollah aren't smart, they are evil.' So he even pushed back on this. I think it's unlikely to change many Trump voters, but maybe some."
Watch the video below or at this link.
'Loyalty is a one-way street' for Trump: analystyoutu.be
