Donald Trump's AIPAC audience laughed at him Monday when he claimed during his speech to the pro-Israel group that he had studied the Iran nuclear deal more than anyone.
Trump, making a prepared speech as opposed to his customary off-the-cuff style, said his No. 1 priority was to "dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran," drawing cheers.
"I have been in business a long time. I know deal-making, and let me tell you this deal is catastrophic for America, for Israel and for the whole of the Middle East," he said. "The problem here is fundamental. We've rewarded the world's leading state sponsor of terror with $150 billion, and we received absolutely nothing in return. I've studied this issue in great detail, I would say actually greater by far than anybody else."
As the crowd laughed, Trump smirked and said, "Believe me. Oh, believe me, and it's a bad deal."
The Iran nuclear deal, led by the Obama administration, relieved billions of dollars in sanctions on the rogue regime and has been described by opponents as paving Iran's path to a nuclear weapon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vociferous opponent of the deal, leading to increased tensions in the already strained relationship between him and President Obama.
Trump's speech was generally well-received by AIPAC, condemning Palestinian terrorism and saying the U.S. had an unshakeable commitment to the Jewish state.