Jeb Bush says Donald Trump's foreign policy is vague and uninformed, and dismisses the TV star and business mogul as lacking any interest in "thinking through" the global issues facing America's commander-in-chief.
In a blistering critique of the front-running GOP candidate, the former Florida governor tells "Newsmax Prime" host J.D. Hayworth that Trump can't be taken seriously because "he's not serious."
"The problem with Trump is he gets his policy advice from the shows," Bush said. "I mean, if you're going to run for the president of the United States you should take the time to explore the challenges that are faced."
Watch Newsmax Prime's exclusive interview with Jeb Bush tonight at 8 p.m. ET on
Newsmax TV. Get Newsmax TV on
DirecTV Ch. 349,
DISH Ch. 223 and
Verizon FiOS Ch. 115. Get Newsmax TV on your cable system —
Click Here Now
A presidential candidate needs to "talk to people that have proven experience in the field and listen," Bush said.
"Have the humility to listen before you have an opinion and then recognize the power of the presidency as it relates to crafting foreign policy and do it in a way that is true to our values."
Bush declares he has those skills, touting his experience living, traveling and doing business overseas, and as governor, conducting trade missions.
"But just as important, I have the humility to listen to people that I greatly respect and it validates my thinking about the role of America in the world," he said. "And I believe I could be a good commander in chief."
Bush shares with Hayworth the poignant reason he carries a "killed-in-action" medal with him.
"This was given to me by a mom whose Marine son died in Afghanistan," he said, adding that it serves as a reminder "this is a serious undertaking to be president of the United States, to send American troops into harm's way."
"You do it with a strategy, you do it with an exit strategy as well and you do it when it's in our security interest," he asserted.
"I don't believe Donald Trump has thought these things through and he doesn't seem to have any interest in actually thinking them through."
Bush's assessment comes in the wake of
Trump's blaming President George W. Bush for culpability in the 9/11 terror attacks.
The former Florida governor responded on Twitter with the same line he used in the second Republican debate: "We were attacked & my brother kept us safe."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.