In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump made contentious remarks suggesting that Jewish individuals voting for Democrats are betraying their faith and Israel. These comments have been criticized for perpetuating the antisemitic stereotype of dual loyalty among Jewish Americans to both the US and Israel.
The interview was conducted on a podcast hosted by Sebastian Gorka, Trump’s former White House aide. The discussion revolved around the criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the Biden administration and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Trump expressed his belief that the Democratic Party harbors animosity towards Israel. He further stated that Jewish Democrats “should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed.”
Trump also criticized Schumer, who recently called for new elections in Israel and criticized Netanyahu’s government. Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in America, was accused by Trump of prioritizing votes over his previous pro-Israel stance.
In response to Trump’s comments, Schumer emphasized the importance of maintaining a bipartisan approach to the US-Israeli relationship. He criticized Trump’s remarks as “highly partisan and hateful.”
President Joe Biden’s administration also responded swiftly to Trump’s comments. Andrew Bates, a White House spokesperson, stressed the importance of leaders calling out hate and uniting Americans against it. He condemned the propagation of harmful stereotypes.
James Singer, a spokesperson for Biden’s campaign, also issued a statement, criticizing Trump for his demeaning comments towards Jewish Americans.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, denounced Trump’s accusations against Jewish Democrats as defamatory and false. He urged leaders to focus on strengthening bipartisan support for Israel.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s campaign defended his remarks, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stating that the Democratic Party has become anti-Israel and anti-Semitic.
Trump has a history of making controversial comments about Jewish Americans, often accusing them of insufficient support for him and Israel. His remarks have sparked concerns among the Jewish community, with a recent report by the American Jewish Committee indicating that 63% of American Jews feel less secure in American society than a year ago.
Historically, Jewish Americans have predominantly identified with the Democratic Party, according to the Pew Research Center’s 2020 survey. While Orthodox Jews lean heavily Republican, other Jewish denominations, including the Reform and Conservative branches, have identified with or leaned toward the Democratic party.
This story has been updated with additional details and reactions. Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Jack Forrest, Nicole Chavez, and Morgan Rimmer.