Former Republican Governor Jeb Bush has taken an unexpected stance, defending former President Trump in the face of a staggering $354.8 million fine imposed by a New York civil fraud court.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled “Elon Musk and Donald Trump Cases Imperil the Rule of Law,” Bush asserts the right to criticize Trump’s politics, noting, “Every American has a right to be critical of Mr. Trump’s politics—one of us ran against him in 2016.”

The op-ed, co-authored by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, strongly criticizes the recent civil fraud trial against Trump, characterizing it as a threat to the integrity of the legal system and the business environment that has fueled U.S. prosperity. According to Bush and Lonsdale, the rulings could have far-reaching economic consequences, fostering fear of arbitrary enforcement against entrepreneurs engaged in politics or expressing unpopular opinions.

The article questions the fairness of the trial, slamming the near $355 million fine and a three-year business ban imposed on Trump in New York. It also draws attention to a Delaware judge rescinding Elon Musk’s $56 billion compensation from Tesla. The op-ed emphasizes the need for a “dispassionate” legal system to prevent adverse impacts on businesses and the broader economy.

Despite their past political rivalry, the op-ed underscores Bush’s concern for the principles of equality before the law and a functioning legal system.

The piece acknowledges the contentious relationship between Bush and Trump during the 2016 presidential election, including personal jabs exchanged that have lived on in peoples’ minds.

President Trump:

"Ron DeSanctimonious is being crushed in the polls, all of them. Many globalists are having second thoughts. RINO'S like Karl Rove, Pauline Ryan, and Jeb "Low Energy" Bush are beside themselves."pic.twitter.com/iC8GoGjYzi

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 28, 2023

It quotes Bush stating in 2018 that Trump is “Republican in basically name only” and criticizing him for provoking events at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Highlighting the economic significance of New York and Delaware, the authors urge appellate courts in these states to review what they perceive as damaging judicial rulings. They argue that the failure to do so could lead to significant losses for the states and further harm the legal fabric of the nation.

In response to the ruling, Trump has appealed, alleging political bias on the part of the presiding judge, Arthur Engoron, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump describes the judge as “crooked” and criticizes the lack of basis for the substantial fine, emphasizing his financial success and the absence of victims or damages. The op-ed on Fox News underscores Bush’s unexpected defense of Trump, focusing on the broader implications for the rule of law and the economy.