‘Once you pay, you always pay, and many more hostages will be taken,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
By Adina Katz, World Israel News
Former President Donald Trump blasted President Joe Biden for his decision to unfreeze a staggering $6 billion in Iranian assets and funding seized by the U.S. government, in exchange for the return of five Americans who were detained in the Islamic Republic.
“I brought 58 HOSTAGES home from many different countries, including North Korea, and I never paid anything. They all understood they MUST LET THESE PEOPLE COME HOME!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Toward the end, it got so that countries didn’t even start the conversation asking for money, because they knew they would not get it,” he continued.
Trump stressed that paying for the release of hostages serves as an encouragement for additional terrorism.
“Once you pay, you always pay, & MANY MORE HOSTAGES WILL BE TAKEN. Our grossly incompetent ‘leader,’ Crooked Joe Biden, gave 6 BILLION DOLLARS for 5 people. Iran gave ZERO for 5. He’s Dumb as a ROCK.”
Earlier in the week, Trump wrote on the platform that the deal set a “TERRIBLE precedent” for future hostage exchanges.
“So, lets get this straight! We did a hostage TRADE with Iran. We gave them 5 very tough, smart people that they desperately wanted. We likewise got back 5 people BUT, we also gave them 6 BILLION DOLLARS!
“How much of a kickback does Crooked Joe Biden get? Does anyone realize how much money 6 Billion Dollars is?”
In addition to the billions of dollars in unfrozen assets, Biden also freed five Iranian prisoners who were held in U.S. custody. The identities of the prisoners, along with their crimes, were not disclosed to the media.
Biden’s choice to announce the deal on September 11th – the 22nd anniversary of the deadliest Islamic terror attack on U.S. soil – also ruffled feathers among many Republicans.
“I am always glad when Americans are released from captivity,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote on social media platform X.
“However, this agreement will entice rogue regimes, like Iran, to take even more Americans hostage. The ayatollah and his henchmen are terrorists and truly represent a terrorist state.”