In a recent interview with NBC News set to air Monday night, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush described Donald Trump’s campaign as an “alternative universe” that will leave Trump’s supporters feeling “betrayed.”
“The tragedy of this, though, is that there isn’t going to be a wall built. And Mexico’s not going to pay for it. And there’s not going to be a ban on Muslims,” Bush told NBC News in a clip released Monday afternoon. “This is all like a alternative universe that he created.”
“The reality is, that’s not going to happen. And people are going to be deeply frustrated and the divides will grow in our country,” he continued. “And this extraordinary country, still the greatest country on the face of the earth, will continue to stagger instead of soar. And that’s the heartbreaking part of this, is I think people are really going to feel betrayed.”
Bush also acknowledged that his former rival in the presidential race understands the media.
“Trump, to his credit, was very smart at exploiting these kind of opportunities. He’s a master at understanding how the media works — more than anybody I’ve ever seen in politics,” Bush told NBC News. “Kudos for him, for kind of creating the environment and then manipulating the environment to his effect.”
Watch part of Bush’s interview with Nicole Wallace, former communications director for President George W. Bush, via NBC:
