Florida Sen. Rick Scott is facing backlash after publicly throwing his support behind President Donald Trump’s ongoing pressure campaign against Iran. The Republican senator argued that Trump is doing what is necessary to keep Americans safe and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Scott made the remarks during an interview with the Salem News Channel and later shared a clip from the conversation on X on Thursday.
“The Iranians have been killing us for 47 years,” Scott stated. “They’re close to a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. They will use it in this country to kill us.”
The senator claimed that Trump had “no choice” but to involve the United States in the conflict with Iran. “[The President] never wants to go to war. He doesn’t want to put troops in harm’s way,” Scott said. “But he has an obligation to defend us.”
CNBC reported that Trump recently announced on Truth Social that Iran will be facing what he called the “most crushing economic operation” the U.S. has ever unleashed on another country.
The president called on U.S. allies to support the effort, which he described as “Economic Warfare and Isolation” against Iran, and warned that countries continuing to provide Tehran with an economic “lifeline” could face financial consequences of their own.
Scott was particularly supportive of Trump’s strategy to squeeze Iran economically.
“I hope it works,” Scott said. “If what it takes is [to] destroy their economy, have at it. I support what the president’s doing.”
He acknowledged that the conflict has not come without consequences for Americans, particularly when it comes to higher gas prices, but argued that those concerns pale in comparison to the possibility of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. “President Trump is doing the right thing,” he remarked.
Netizens Slam Rick Scott for Defending Trump
Scott’s defense of the president did not go over particularly well with critics in the comments. Several people took particular issue with his claim that Trump had not chosen to go to war with Iran.
“Did you say he didn’t choose to go to war like oh my , we are literally run by a bunch of retards and liars,” one X user commented. Another wrote, “We have no business being in this war and you know it. What a disappointing take from you.” Someone else declared, “It was an unprovoked attack on Iran. We’re gonna impeach Trump.”
Others directed their frustration at Trump himself. “I think most of humanity wants Trump out of politics,” one critic said. Another claimed, “The Trump Regime has only made us less safe.” A third wrote, “Your president spends time thinking about himself and himself alone.” A fourth agreed, writing, “Getting into a forever war of choice, taxing us with tariffs, creating chaos, vanity projects in the billions.”
The Florida senator has consistently advocated for more aggressive and decisive action against the Iranian regime, previously writing that it is time to deliver a “final blow” to permanently neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
