Trump gets surprise praise from old rival Jeb Bush for 'historic' Iran strike: 'Very much appreciated!'

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump just got a glowing endorsement from Jeb Bush, the same guy he once branded as “low-energy” during the 2016 Republican primary.

On Tuesday night, June 24, the president took to Truth Social to post a screenshot of an X post from the former Florida governor that heaped praise on Trump's strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.

“Thank you to Jeb Bush — Very much appreciated!” Trump posted in response, Mediaite reported.

Jeb Bush praises Trump's 'watershed moment' after Iran nuclear sites strike

Two days earlier, Bush shared a statement on X that could’ve been mistaken for a Pentagon press release if not for the compliments packed into it.

“President Trump’s decision to neutralize Iran’s regime’s nuclear program is a watershed moment. It reasserts U.S. strength, restores deterrence, and sends an unmistakable message to rogue regimes: the era of impunity is over,” Bush wrote, tagging the nonprofit United Against a Nuclear Iran, where he serves as chairman.

The linked statement from the nonprofit called Trump’s airstrike order “historic and consequential.”

“This evening, President Donald J. Trump made a historic and consequential decision: authorizing the destruction of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and sites at Natanz and Esfahan. We applaud President Trump and the United States for this decision—one of the most important of the 21st century," the statement began.

“President Trump’s decision to neutralize Iran’s regime’s nuclear program is a watershed moment—one that reasserts American strength, restores deterrence, and sends an unmistakable message to rogue regimes: the era of impunity is over. Where others delayed and wavered, President Trump acted," it continued.

“Today, the world is safer as Fordow is gone. And history will remember those many men and women in our U.S. military, intelligence community, and economic sanctions community who worked for so long to make this moment possible and to ensure the destruction of Iran’s regime’s nuclear program. We applaud them and give them our thanks,” read the final part of the statement co-signed by Bush and his colleagues.

Trump vs Jeb Bush during 2016 presidential campaign

For anyone who remembers the 2016 GOP primary, this "watershed moment" would’ve seemed impossible back then. Jeb and Trump were anything but chummy at the time. In fact, Trump made torching Jeb a central theme of his campaign at the time.

He mocked Jeb’s demeanor so often that “low-energy” basically became his unofficial campaign nickname. “He’s got the energy of a wet rag. I call him low-energy Jeb!” Trump famously sneered. Every time Jeb looked calm or reserved, Trump would paint him as a dud on the campaign trail.

Trump dug deep into the Bush family history and used Jeb’s last name like a battering ram. “The only reason you’re running is because of your brother, George, and your father, George H.W. Bush,” he lashed out during one of the debates. “He’s a total embarrassment to the family, the Bush family, that’s what he is," Trump also said.

Jeb tried to hold his ground, but his attacks just didn’t land with the same force. At one point, Bush awkwardly pleaded with a quiet crowd, “Please clap.” The internet had a field day with the moment.

Beyond the insults, Trump also took Jeb to task on policy—especially immigration.

While Jeb backed a more inclusive approach, advocating for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, Trump called Jeb’s immigration stance “soft” and used it to paint him as out of step with Republican voters. “You can't have a country if you're gonna have people flowing across the border illegally,” Trump declared.

Jeb eventually accepted defeat and bowed out of the race in February 2016.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online