A Rare Bipartisan Moment
For the first time in years, Washington’s most powerful voices — both Republican and Democrat — are speaking with one voice.
President Donald J. Trump, long a lightning rod for partisan division, has received unprecedented praise from his political opponents following his administration’s successful brokering of a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
After two years of relentless conflict that claimed tens of thousands of lives and brought the Middle East to the brink of catastrophe, the Trump-brokered ceasefire has not only halted the fighting but achieved something far rarer — a shared moment of relief and optimism from across the political aisle.
Even longtime critics like Bill Clinton and Chuck Schumer are applauding Trump’s diplomacy.
Clinton: “They Deserve Great Credit”
Former President Bill Clinton — who himself pursued Middle East peace during his time in office — praised Trump and his administration for doing what many thought impossible: getting Israel and Hamas to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire and hostage exchange.
“The horrors of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the conflict they reignited have resulted in unbearable human loss,” Clinton wrote on social media. “It has been hard to watch and nearly impossible to rationalize.”
He continued:
“I’m grateful that a ceasefire has taken hold, that the last 20 hostages have been freed, and that desperately needed aid has begun to flow into Gaza. President Trump and his administration, Qatar, and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached.”
Coming from Clinton — a man who presided over the failed Oslo Accords and the Camp David Summit — the praise carried historical weight.
Clinton’s statement concluded with a plea for both sides to turn the fragile ceasefire into something permanent:
“With support from the U.S., the region, and the world, Israel and Hamas have to turn this fragile moment into lasting peace that provides the dignity and security of both Palestinians and Israelis. I believe that they can get there, but only if they do it together.”
Schumer’s Emotional Reaction: “Finally, Finally, Finally”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), one of Trump’s fiercest opponents for years, echoed Clinton’s sentiment — visibly emotional as he spoke to NewsNation on Monday night.
“Today is a wonderful day. Finally, finally, finally, the last living hostages brutally held by Hamas are home — an immense and overwhelming sigh of relief,” Schumer said.
“I commend the enormous advocacy of the tireless hostage families, President Trump, his administration, and all who helped make this moment happen.”
The comments marked a stunning shift for Schumer, who had spent much of Trump’s first term at odds with the administration. His acknowledgment — by name — of Trump’s role in achieving peace was one of the most direct bipartisan gestures of Trump’s presidency to date.
The Peace Deal That Changed Everything
The new peace agreement, finalized after months of negotiations, brought to an end a brutal two-year war that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 terror attacks — when militants killed 1,300 Israelis and kidnapped more than 250 hostages.
Under the Trump-mediated framework:
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All 20 surviving Israeli hostages were freed on Monday.
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Israel released over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of a phased exchange.
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Full military withdrawal from central Gaza began Tuesday morning.
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An international coalition, including Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., will oversee reconstruction.
The deal was described by officials as “a 20-point plan” designed to end hostilities, rebuild Gaza’s shattered infrastructure, and create a new governance model under international supervision.
For Trump, it was the culmination of years of direct diplomacy — a hands-on effort similar to his earlier Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states.
Obama and Jeffries React — But Omit Trump
Not every Democrat was eager to credit the president directly.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) acknowledged the humanitarian significance of the ceasefire but stopped short of mentioning Trump’s role.
“Thankful that all 20 living Israeli hostages are home with their loved ones, and that humanitarian assistance is being surged into Gaza for Palestinian civilians,” Jeffries posted on X. “We must now recommit to achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. Nothing less than that is acceptable.”
Former President Barack Obama issued a similar statement, expressing relief that an end to the violence was finally in sight — again, without referencing Trump.
“After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight; that those hostages still being held will be reunited with their families; and that vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered,” Obama wrote Thursday.
Still, the absence of Trump’s name couldn’t conceal the political reality: this was his administration’s victory, and even his critics knew it.
Trump: “We’ve Done All We Can by the Force of Arms”
Speaking before the Israeli Knesset, President Trump struck a surprisingly reflective tone.
“Israel has achieved all that it can by the force of arms,” he told lawmakers. “Now is the time for peace — real peace, not just in treaties or headlines, but in hearts and in lives.”
Trump called on both Israelis and Palestinians to seize the moment as a “new beginning” for the region, promising continued U.S. support to ensure the ceasefire’s stability.
“This is the moment to prove that strength and compassion can coexist,” he said. “We will help rebuild Gaza, restore hope, and ensure that no child grows up believing their only future lies in war.”
The Global Reaction: “A Miracle in the Desert”
Across the Middle East, the reaction was one of cautious celebration.
Qatar, which played a key mediating role, hailed the deal as “a victory for humanity.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called it “a turning point toward regional stability.”
And in Saudi Arabia, officials expressed “hope that this agreement will be the foundation for long-term coexistence.”
Even the United Nations Secretary-General issued a rare commendation, saying the Trump-led peace process “achieved what many thought impossible.”
On the streets of Tel Aviv and Amman, ordinary citizens gathered in massive crowds, cheering the release of hostages and the promise of an end to the bloodshed. Chants of “Thank you, Trump!” were heard at several rallies, echoing through city squares.
A Rare Glimpse of Unity
For a deeply divided America, the bipartisan response to Trump’s diplomacy was something few had expected to see again.
Clinton, Schumer, and even Obama’s muted praise signaled what many analysts called “a return to statesmanship” — a moment when politics took a backseat to peace.
“This is the most significant diplomatic achievement in the Middle East since Camp David,” said historian Douglas Brinkley. “The fact that even Trump’s fiercest critics are acknowledging it tells you how big this is.”
Whether the ceasefire will hold remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump’s latest foreign policy triumph has redrawn the political landscape — and, for the first time in years, bridged the partisan divide, however briefly.
Conclusion: A President No One Can Ignore
Asked by Fox News how he felt about receiving praise from his longtime rivals, Trump smiled.
“I appreciate it,” he said. “But this isn’t about me — it’s about peace, and about people who have suffered far too long. That’s what matters.”
He paused before adding, with characteristic confidence:
“We’ve made history. And history — real history — is bigger than politics.”
In an era defined by division, that sentiment might be the most surprising development of all.
Adrian Hawthorne is a celebrated author and dedicated archivist who finds inspiration in the hidden stories of the past. Educated at Oxford, he now works at the National Archives, where preserving history fuels his evocative writing. Balancing archival precision with creative storytelling, Adrian founded the Hawthorne Institute of Literary Arts to mentor emerging writers and honor the timeless art of narrative.