WASHINGTON – In a surreal twist that has political pundits rubbing their eyes, CNN and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—longtime Trump critics—lavished praise on the president Friday for brokering the first phase of a historic Gaza ceasefire, a deal hailed as a potential turning point after two years of devastating war. “Hell has frozen over,” quipped one White House aide, capturing the astonishment rippling through a polarized nation.
CNN’s coverage turned effusive, with anchor Jake Tapper declaring the 20-point framework “a breakthrough that eluded Biden’s team for months.” In a prime-time special, correspondent Dana Bash credited Trump’s “juggernaut diplomacy,” noting how his backchannel pressure in Cairo and Doha forced Hamas to release all 48 remaining hostages by Monday in exchange for Israel’s partial withdrawal from northern Gaza. “Whether durable or not, Trump willed this across the finish line,” Bash said, a rare nod from the network that once branded him a “threat to democracy.” The deal, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, also surges humanitarian aid, rebuilding hospitals and averting famine.
Even more jaw-dropping: Clinton, Trump’s 2016 nemesis, commended him in a CBS News interview alongside Condoleezza Rice. “It’s a really significant first step, and I really commend President Trump and his administration, as well as Arab leaders, for making the commitment to the 20-point plan,” she said, her tone measured but genuine. Clinton, who once warned of Trump’s “authoritarian tendencies,” emphasized the “global effort” for “peace, security, and a better future in the Middle East,” while urging Israel to curb West Bank settlements. Rice echoed: “Strength and diplomacy hand in hand—Trump deserves credit.”
The endorsements come amid fragile implementation: Hostage families in Tel Aviv waved “Peace Israel” signs as aid trucks queued at Rafah, but Hamas demands tweaks on governance, and Netanyahu’s hardliners threaten revolt. Trump, basking in the glow, posted on Truth Social: “Even CNN and Crooked Hillary say THANK YOU! Nobel next?” Democrats like Sen. John Fetterman joined the chorus, calling it “historic” and pledging Nobel support if it holds.
This bipartisan thaw, however fleeting, underscores a rare unity: War’s toll—67,000 Gaza dead, 1,200 Israelis slain—transcends grudges. As phase two looms on disarmament, the praise signals hope—or a momentary ceasefire in America’s own divides. Let that sink in: Adversaries applauding the dealmaker-in-chief.
