Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush praised President Donald Trump’s recent public support for Iranian protesters and said UANI stands ready to assist both the president and Iranians challenging Tehran. Bush and UANI co-leader Mark Wallace called Trump’s message a historic shift in Western moral clarity toward Iran’s citizens. The rapprochement is striking given the bitter 2015–2016 primary contest between Bush and Trump. The comments come amid reports of Iranian security forces using deadly force against demonstrators and broader Republican debate over U.S. policy toward Tehran.
Jeb Bush Praises Trump’s 'Historic' Support For Iranian Protesters, UANI Says It Stands Ready
Jeb Bush heaps praise on Trump’s ‘unprecedented support’ for Iranians 10 years after heated primary
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush on Wednesday praised President Donald Trump for what he called "historic leadership" in publicly backing Iranian protesters, saying his organization — United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) — stands ready to assist both the president and Iranians challenging Tehran’s rulers.
The endorsement marks a notable softening in tone between Bush and Trump, who were fierce rivals during the 2015–2016 Republican primary. At the time, Trump repeatedly mocked Bush, famously calling him "Low Energy Jeb," while Bush criticized Trump as a "chaos candidate."
In a recent Truth Social post, Mr. Trump urged Iranian "patriots [to] keep protesting" and wrote:
Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump (L) and Jeb Bush take part in the presidential debates at the Reagan Library on September 16, 2015 in Simi Valley, California.(Getty Images)
"Take over your institutions. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price."
Responding to that message, Bush — who co-leads UANI with former Ambassador Mark Wallace — issued public praise. Wallace, who served as a diplomat in the White House of Bush’s brother and is the ex-husband of MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, joined Bush in the statement.
UANI Statement
Bush and Wallace said UANI "applauds President Trump’s unprecedented support of the people of Iran as they fight to reclaim their country." The statement criticized what they described as years of Western equivocation in responding to the Iranian regime’s violence and repression, and called Trump’s stance a historic shift in moral clarity.
"President Trump’s post made clear that no longer will the United States and the West lack the moral clarity to support the people of Iran as they face bullets for freedom," their statement read. "UANI joins with President Trump and stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against the Ayatollah."
Donald Trump, left. Jeb Bush, right.
Context And Reactions
Trump has been praised by some conservatives for adopting a tougher posture toward Tehran than recent administrations. The president canceled talks with Iranian officials after reports emerged that security forces were shooting and killing protesters in the streets.
Other Republican voices have framed the unrest in Iran as a potential turning point. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the regime may have reached a "natural terminus" and urged the West not to waste a historic opportunity.
When asked about the alignment between the two Republicans, a senior administration official reiterated that the administration supports the people of Iran in the face of continued human-rights abuses by their government, calling Tehran one of the world's worst violators of human rights.
The exchange underscores shifting dynamics within the Republican Party over how to respond to events in Iran, with Bush and Trump now publicly aligned in their stated support for Iranian protesters and condemnation of the Ayatollah-led government.
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