Conservatives have criticized Donald J. Trump for expressing liberal views on health care, abortion and taxing the rich. On Friday, Mr. Trump, who is leading most Republican presidential polls, offered his rivals another reason why he might not really be one of them when he noted that President George W. Bush had failed to stop the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Mr. Trump was asked how he would demonstrate compassion during a crisis such as a hurricane or attacks on the World Trade Center. Saying that he has more heart and is more competent than the leaders who dealt with those tragedies, Mr. Trump then criticized the former president.
“When you talk about George Bush, I mean, say what you want, the World Trade Center came down during his time,” Mr. Trump said.
Blaming 9/11 on Mr. Bush is taboo for Republicans and has largely been off-limits for Democrats. Pressed on whether he really meant to blame the attacks on Mr. Bush, the billionaire developer did not back down.
“He was president, O.K.?,” Mr. Trump said. “The World Trade Center came down during his reign.”
How pathetic for @realdonaldtrump to criticize the president for 9/11. We were attacked & my brother kept us safe.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 16, 2015
Mr. Trump was asked how he would demonstrate compassion during a crisis such as a hurricane or attacks on the World Trade Center. Saying that he has more heart and is more competent than the leaders who dealt with those tragedies, Mr. Trump then criticized the former president.
“When you talk about George Bush, I mean, say what you want, the World Trade Center came down during his time,” Mr. Trump said.
Blaming 9/11 on Mr. Bush is taboo for Republicans and has largely been off-limits for Democrats. Pressed on whether he really meant to blame the attacks on Mr. Bush, the billionaire developer did not back down.
“He was president, O.K.?,” Mr. Trump said. “The World Trade Center came down during his reign.”
How pathetic for @realdonaldtrump to criticize the president for 9/11. We were attacked & my brother kept us safe.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 16, 2015