Former President, Donald Trump used a speech on anti-Semitism Thursday to again criticize Jewish-Americans , reiterating his claim that Jews who support Vice President Kamala Harris this election should “have their heads examined.”
“I really haven’t been treated very well, but that’s the story of my life,” Trump remarked during his speech at a Capitol Hill hotel.
He said he garnered only 24% of the Jewish vote in the 2020 election, despite being “the best president ever” for them and Israel.
Miriam Adelson, a physician, philanthropist, and key Republican Party supporter, organized the anti-Semitic event at which Trump spoke. Adelson is the wife of Sheldon Adelson, the late casino mogul and big Republican donor.
“I will be the best friend Jewish-Americans have ever had in the White House,” Trump told the largely supportive audience.
Opponents claimed Trump is once again engaging in prejudices by linking Jewish supporters solely with Israeli issues.
“Donald Trump can’t help but disparage millions of American Jews when he’s speaking to Jews,” stated Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, on the social media site X.
“There’s a name for this form of hatred – he’s an anti-Semite.” Soifer published a tweet from Trump in which he expressed unhappiness with his lack of support among Jews.
“I have to say this, and it hurts me to say it, you’re going to still vote for Democrats, and it doesn’t make sense,” Trump said in the speech ostensibly devoted to fighting anti-Semitism in the United States.
At another time, Trump stated, “I just find it so hard to believe.” He also stated that he believes in “100%” of the Jewish vote. Later that evening, Trump spoke to the Israeli-American Council, another Adelson-backed organization, and repeated many of his criticisms.
Trump said Jewish people should support him because of his record on Israel issues, which includes his decision to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem and his support for the fight against Hamas. In both speeches, he predicted that a Harris victory would result in the destruction of Israel. The Republican candidate also stated in both addresses that if he loses the race to Harris, the Jewish vote may be the cause.
In another X post, Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said that “Trump’s antisemitism speech is, for the umpteenth time, advancing this antisemitic trope. Stop dividing Jews into “good” and “bad” camps. Stop labeling those who don’t support you as crazy or disloyal. Stop playing into dual loyalty tropes. All of it makes Jews less safe.”
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
