In a recent interview aired on Real America’s Voice, former President Donald Trump once again sparked controversy by criticizing Jewish Americans who do not support him. He suggested that Jewish individuals voting for President Joe Biden are demonstrating a lack of love for Israel and should be confronted. This is the latest instance of Trump seemingly endorsing an antisemitic stereotype that suggests Jewish Americans have dual loyalties to the US and Israel.
Trump claimed that Biden is “totally on the side of the Palestinians” in the context of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. However, Biden has consistently affirmed his support for Israel’s right to self-defense. Just last week, Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of potential consequences if Israel did not alter its approach to the conflict.
Trump also suggested that Jewish and Black Americans tend to vote for Democrats out of habit. He stated, “A lot of it’s habit. Jewish people by habit, they just, they vote for the Democrats and Black people, by habit, vote for the Democrats.” These comments mirror those he made last month, which drew swift criticism from Biden’s administration and reelection campaign.
Trump has a history of making controversial remarks about Jewish Americans. During his first presidential campaign, he delivered a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition that was filled with antisemitic stereotypes. After leaving office in 2021, he claimed that Jewish Americans have turned their back on Israel. He also suggested that American Jews were not sufficiently appreciative of his administration’s policies towards Israel.
According to a report by the American Jewish Committee, at least 63% of American Jews feel less secure in American society than they did a year ago. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 361% increase in antisemitic incidents in the three months following Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel.
Historically, Jewish Americans have predominantly identified with Democrats over Republicans, as per the Pew Research Center’s 2020 survey. While Orthodox Jews tend to lean Republican, other Jewish denominations, including Reform and Conservative branches, have generally identified with or leaned towards the Democratic party.