Donald Trump, Jeb Bush get into an incredible debate on the 9/11 attacks
“The World Trade Center came down during your brother’s reign,’’ Trump said. “Remember that.’’
Donald Trump railed against former President George W. Bush’s eight years in office at Saturday night’s Republican debate, saying Bush lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that he failed to stop the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
The criticisms from Trump, directed toward Jeb Bush, were a remarkable and memorable assessment of Bush’s presidency that was at odds with the mainstream conservative view.
The back-and-forth began when moderators asked Trump about his claim in 2008 that Bush had “lied’’ about Iraq and should have been impeached.
“Obviously, the War in Iraq was a big, fat mistake,’’ Trump said. He also pointed to Jeb Bush’s wavering on the topic last summer as his candidacy began.
“George [W.] Bush made a mistake. We can make mistakes, but that one was a beauty,’’ Trump said. “We should have never been in Iraq. We have destabilized the Middle East.’’
“They lied, they said there were weapons of mass destruction,’’ Trump continued. “There were none, and they knew there were none. There were no weapons of mass destruction.’’
Jeb Bush then launched into a defense of his family that Trump repeatedly interrupted.
“I could care less about the insults that Donald Trump gives to me. It’s bloodsport for him, he enjoys it, and I’m glad he’s happy about it,’’ Jeb Bush said. “I am sick and tired of him going after my family. My dad is the greatest man alive in my mind. While Donald Trump was building a reality TV show, my brother was building a security apparatus to keep us safe. And I’m glad we did. And he’s had the gall to—’’
“The World Trade Center came down during your brother’s reign,’’ Trump said. “Remember that.’’
“He’s had the gall to go after my mother—’’ Bush said.
“That’s not keeping us safe,’’ Trump interjected.
“—but I won the lottery when I was born 63 years ago and looked up and saw my mom,’’ Bush said. “My mom is the strongest woman I know.’’
“She should be running,’’ Trump responded.
“This is not about my family, or his family,’’ Bush said. “This is about the South Carolina families that need someone to be a commander in chief that can lead, and I’m that person.’’
The moderator then turned to Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who appeared stunned by that debate.
“I gotta tell you, this is just crazy,’’ Kasich said. “This is just nuts. Jeez, oh man.’’
Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator from Florida, said that he was thankful George W. Bush was in charge and not Al Gore.
“I think you can look back in hindsight and say a couple things, but he kept us safe,’’ Rubio said. “Not only did he keep us safe, but no matter what you want to say about weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein was in violation of UN resolutions—in open violation—and the world wouldn’t do anything about it. George W. Bush enforced what the international community refused to do. And again, he kept us safe, and I am forever grateful to what he did for this country.’’
As he did earlier, Trump challenged that assertion.
“How did he keep us safe when the World Trade Center came down?’’ Trump said. “I lost hundreds of friends. The World Trade Center came down during the reign of George W. Bush. He kept us safe? That’s not safe. That is not safe.’’
[fragment number=0]
“The World Trade Center came down because Bill Clinton didn’t kill Osama Bin Ladin when he had the chance to kill him,’’ Rubio said.
“By the way, George Bush had the chance also, and he didn’t listen to the advice of his CIA,’’ Trump said.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com