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By Dan Gooding and Jason Lemon
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Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush strongly praised his former political rival, President Donald Trump, for launching Operation Epic Fury against Iran, saying he applauded the war and described it as a "noble cause."
United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) released a video on Sunday featuring Jeb Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush, describing the Trump administration's new Middle Eastern operation as "an incredible moment in history."
Monday morning, the former 2016 GOP presidential candidate reposted the clip, writing on X: "I recorded a special video message with @UANI's @mark_d_wallace applauding @realDonaldTrump's historic Operation Epic Fury and calling on all American leaders from both parties to unite behind a noble cause: freedom for the great people of #Iran."
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Why It Matters
Jeb Bush was initially seen as a front-runner in the 2016 Republican presidential primary but ultimately failed to garner significant support, finishing in 6th place. Trump strongly rebuked George W. Bush for the war the former president launched against Iraq in 2003, which Jeb Bush defended in a high-profile primary debate spat. Critics of Trump's Iran war actions have resurfaced the clip since the new operation was launched.
What To Know
Bush's comments came Monday morning amid news that a fourth U.S. service member had died since the United States-Israeli operations were launched in Iran early Saturday, which also led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Serving as chair of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), Bush has long claimed Iran posed a threat against the U.S., which required action. During last June's strikes on nuclear facilities, he called the move a "watershed moment" and said the strikes were necessary to reassert American strength.
His views on the Middle East largely align with his brother's. He has long defended the former president's decision to invade Iraq in 2003, and this reflects other, perhaps more traditional, GOP members who see it as the U.S.'s role to intervene rather than stay away from the region.
In contrast, some Republicans, including former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, and those who have subscribed to the MAGA movement, have heavily criticized the Trump administration after the president ran on a ticket of no more wars.
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What People Are Saying
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and UANI CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, in a joint statement Saturday: “Successive American presidents sought to bring Iran into the peaceful community of nations. This President engaged extensively and in good faith to achieve a diplomatic solution. The regime chose escalation and continued its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The responsibility for this moment rests squarely with Ayatollah Khamenei.
“The United States and Israel’s military operation is directed at the regime’s lethal capabilities—not the Iranian people, who have long suffered under its repression. The President’s message to the heroic Iranian people is a message from all Americans: we aim to see Iran free, prosperous, and at peace. This is their time to take their great country back.”
President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Saturday, in part: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei."
Former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, on X Saturday: "We thought the victory won in 2024 would be finally time to put America First, and we thought that meant the common American man and woman and their children. Not the elites. America has suffered and they don't even care."
Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, on X, in part: "The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely. Madison wrote that 'the Executive Branch is the branch most prone to war, therefore, the Constitution, with studied care, delegated the war power to the legislature.' As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war."
Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, on X: "Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel."
What Happens Next
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Monday that the conflict would not be endless as he updated reporters on the operation. Meanwhile, Israel widened its attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Update 3/2/26, 9:50 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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