Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) received significant criticism from pro-Trump conservatives on Saturday and Sunday after Bush suggested Republicans haven’t been critical enough of the Trump administration’s “outrageous” Russia-related actions and connections.
Speaking to an audience at OZY Fest in New York City on Saturday, Bush said Republicans need to stop being biased when it comes to President Donald Trump’s Russia problems.
"If your opponent does things that you, your head explodes on — if Barack Obama did something as it's related to Russia, you say 'this is outrageous,' all this stuff, then when your guy does the same thing, have the same passion to be critical," Bush said, according to a report by The Hill.
Bush’s comments about Russia, which seem to be a direct attack on his own party, were met with great applause from the audience.
Bush also said people need to be more “civil.”
“The idea that you shout profanities at one another and expect the other guy or gal to respond like, ‘That's so nice of you, to call me a name,' this is horrible,” Bush said.
Without naming them, Jeb Bush calls out Republicans who were mad at Obama over Russia, but have been silent on Trump and Russia pic.twitter.com/4fuZG8hHDV
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) July 22, 2017
Bush also told the audience Trump isn’t a real Republican.
“To all the Democrats in the crowd: I just want to remind you that [Trump is] not really affiliated with the [Republican] Party, just to be clear,” Bush said. “He’s Trump.”
Jeb reminds the audience at OZY Fest that, until recently, Trump was registered as a Dem in the precinct where the festival is being held pic.twitter.com/9U19j6MHWo
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) July 22, 2017
Supporters of Trump immediately criticized Bush for his comments.
“There is concrete evidence with Obama! Where is the evidence with Trump! 8 months now and NO evidence, just a STRONG desire by Libs,” wrote one user on Twitter.
There is concrete evidence with Obama! Where is the evidence with Trump! 8 months now and NO evidence, just a STRONG desire by Libs
— Kimmer (@KimmerK) July 23, 2017
“[B]asically because the Russia Trump tie is wishful thinking on part of his opponents,” wrote another Twitter user.
basically because the Russia Trump tie is wishful thinking on part of his opponents
— Richard A Blake (@Olentzaro) July 23, 2017
“All you need to know … Jeb definitely voted for Hillary,” wrote Harlan Hill, a member of Trump’s advisory board and a political consultant.
All you need to know...
Jeb definitely voted for Hillary.https://t.co/mZ1ydeHm6A
— Harlan Z. Hill (@Harlan) July 23, 2017
“Crybaby Jeb Bush hasn't figured out that NONE of us give a d**n [edited] about his opinion. Middle child syndrome is showing!” wrote another Trump supporter.
Crybaby Jeb Bush hasn't figured out that NONE of us give a damn about his opinion. Middle child syndrome is showing!https://t.co/i7X2fu5jA3
— Lisa Smith (@lsmith4680) July 23, 2017
In an article for the American Thinker, Monica Showalter said Bush is “still holding grudges” from the 2016 presidential campaign.
“Still holding grudges from the heat of the campaign, Jeb?” Showalter wrote. “Enough to carry them over nine months after being soundly rejected by the voters as Trump sailed to victory? What I think is going on here is Jeb lacks the wit to give as good as he gets and now seeks to make his inabilty to respond to the slings and arrows of campaigning as a virtue, proof of his own worthiness for the presidency. Sorry Jeb, not working.”
Justin Haskins
