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President Donald Trump slammed “neo-con rhetoric” from Republicans in the face of a potential world war this week in a new policy video, warning of the dangers of “simple-minded thinking” that could thrust the U.S. into the midst of a global war.
“Those such as Mitt Romney and Ron DeSantis — very much alike — who insist on arrogantly treating Russia as deeply inferior to the other nations of the world, with no history or culture or pride, are not only ignorant and foolish, but their attitude makes it impossible to negotiate peace,” he said. “Absolutely impossible.”
He continued, “Under my administration, we were tough on Russia — tougher than any administration before — but we also demonstrated RESPECT for Russia and the Russian people. We demonstrated understanding for Russian history, and the fact that Russia lost over 20 million lives in World War II. They were fighting with us. This kind of neo-con rhetoric, mocking Russia’s nuclear weapons, along with implying that Putin must be tried and presumably executed as a war criminal, only increases the chance of deadly nuclear escalation. Fundamentally, it shows a lack of depth, a lack of seriousness, and a lack of sophistication on the subtleties and complexities of foreign policy. You can’t do certain things and end up with peace.”
Amid escalating tensions in Eastern Europe and the rise of China as a serious global power threat, Trump noted that now “is not the time for on-the-job training as we face the possibility of nuclear war.”
He added, “We need a statesman and a peacemaker in the White House, not someone who recites mindless and recycled talking points to win the approval of the failed foreign policy establishment. They didn’t know what they were doing. In 2024, I am the only candidate who can prevent World War III. I will prevent World War III — there’s nobody else that’s going to do that.”
Last week, President Trump hammered Governor Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., and highlighted the “weaknesses” of the potential GOP primary contender in 2024. “Number one he’s got no personality,” Trump told the press. “That tends to be bad for a politician. But in addition to personal flaws, I think he’s got a real problem with the fact that he wanted to destroy Social Security. He was a disciple of Paul Ryan – remember the ‘wheelchair over the cliff Paul Ryan’ who cost Romney the election?”
According to a Trump campaign statement, “endless-war neo-cons like Jeb Bush, George Bush, and Karl Rove have all been advising DeSantis.”