EXCLUSIVE — The super PAC aligned with former President Donald Trump is trying to remind Iowa Republican primary voters about his national security record amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Make America Great Again, Inc. released a new 30-second ad called "Botched" Saturday, as part of a roughly $725,000 a week buy in Iowa's cable, satellite, and broadcast TV market, as the conflict draws a contrast between Trump and President Joe Biden — and between the former president and his 2024 primary opponents.
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"We know President Trump will keep us safe because he kept us safe," the narrator says. "ISIS: destroyed, demolished. Ended Obama’s disastrous nuclear deal with Iran, then killed Iran’s terrorist leader. Signed historic Middle East peace deals."
"But Biden botched Afghanistan," he adds. "Paid billions in ransom to Iran. Now they’re helping terrorists kill Americans in Israel, taking more hostage. President Trump will make America strong again and safe again."
Trump has been criticized this week for scrutinizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after last week's deadly Hamas terrorist attack while describing Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as "very smart" with the prospect of a second front opening in the war.
Trump called Hezbollah "very smart" during a rally last Wednesday in the context of Biden administration and Israeli concerns regarding the group potentially attacking Israel "from the north because that’s the most vulnerable spot." Trump then recalled "a bad experience with Israel as president," alleging Netanyahu "let us down" when he decided against taking part in the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), for one, condemned Trump's comments, promising to "stand with Israel and treat terrorists like the scum that they are" if he wins the Republican nomination and next year's general election.
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"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 wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Trump averages a 45 percentage point advantage over DeSantis, his most competitive primary opponent, 58% to 13%, according to RealClearPolitics. Trump has less than a point edge over Biden, 45.3% to 44.5%, per hypothetical polling averages.