Trump tells Jewish voters they will share some responsibility if he is defeated
He delivered consecutive speeches in Washington in an effort to attract Jewish American voters.
TroibNews 
At an event in Washington on Thursday aimed at combating antisemitism, former President Donald Trump asserted that if he loses in November, "the Jewish people would have a lot to do with the loss.” He criticized Jews who support Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, “Any Jewish person who votes for her should have their head examined. I find it hard to believe, part of it is a habit, I think.”
Trump expressed confidence in his appeal to Jewish voters, stating he should be polling at “100” percent among them. He blamed his lower numbers on “the Democrats’ hold or curse on you.” He warned that if he does not secure victory in the upcoming election, “a lot of bad things will happen,” adding that Israel will be “eradicated.”
During his dual speeches in Washington, Trump aimed to win over Jewish American voters while criticizing the rise of antisemitism. His comments came as the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel approaches, which have intensified conflict in the Middle East and created divisions within the Democratic Party, a development that Republicans believe may increase Jewish support for them.
Calling October 7 “a wake-up call for the entire world,” Trump received applause when he urged Harris to renounce “all Hamas sympathizers.” “Get smart. Here we have had the worst outbreak of antisemitism in many generations,” he said.
In his remarks, Trump pledged to deport “foreign Jihad sympathizers and Hamas supporters,” promising to restore his administration’s travel ban that restricted entry from several Muslim-majority countries. “We will get them out of our country. I will ban refugee resettlement from terror infested areas like the Gaza Strip, and we will seal our border and bring back the travel ban,” he stated. “Remember the famous travel ban?”
Trump has positioned himself as more aligned with Israel and the Jewish community compared to Harris and the Democratic Party, citing his administration’s accomplishments such as moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. However, critics have pointed out that he has also insulted some Jewish leaders and reinforced stereotypes about Jewish individuals having dual loyalties to the U.S. and Israel.
Morgan Finkelstein, Harris’ campaign spokesperson, accused Trump of using antisemitic language and suggested he would prioritize his own interests over Israel. “The Vice President has been incredibly clear: She has been a lifelong supporter of the State of Israel as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people,” Finkelstein stated. “She has an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel and will always stand up for its right to defend itself. She also stands steadfastly against antisemitism both at home and abroad and will do the same as President.”
On Thursday, Trump again claimed that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., is a “proud member of Hamas,” and referred to Jewish voters who support Democrats as those who "hate Israel" and hate "their religion." Schumer has been vocal against Trump, publishing a book addressing antisemitism and criticizing Trump for propagating “antisemitic stereotypes” during the Democratic National Convention.
Trump also announced policies aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses. He declared that if elected President, institutions that do not eliminate antisemitic propaganda would face loss of accreditation and be reported for civil rights violations. “We will not subsidize the creation of terrorist sympathizers,” he remarked.
His appearance at the Fighting Anti-Semitism event was introduced by GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, who noted the alarming rise of antisemitism in the U.S. “It has turned elite universities into propaganda factories where Jews are not welcome, and it undermines our U.S. ally of a source of stability when the Middle East is in chaos,” Adelson warned.
Adelson and her late husband Sheldon Adelson were significant contributors to Trump's previous campaign efforts. Although she did not participate in the primary fundraising, she has since supported Trump through a super PAC, Preserve America, committing millions.
Lee Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York who is Jewish, remarked that Trump has a significant opportunity because Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, are “choosing their words extraordinarily carefully,” which is frustrating long-time Democratic Jewish supporters who expect more leadership. “The Democrats are alienating a larger amount of the Jewish population, and they are bleeding out support because of it,” he added.
For decades, Jewish voters have mainly supported Democrats, yet Republicans claim they are beginning to gain traction. Trump, without evidence, has asserted that he has “probably around the 50 percent mark” with Jewish voters. A recent Pew Research Center poll indicated that Harris has the backing of 65 percent of Jewish registered voters, compared to Trump’s 34 percent, although Trump's support has reportedly increased since the 2020 election, where he received 27 percent.
“There is a perfect storm of issues that is coming together to make an inflection point in the Jewish Community,” noted Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, which plans to invest $15 million in advertising directed at Jewish voters in key states. “It’s going to be a jump ball election, and a shift in the Jewish vote could alter the state of this election.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Trump expressed confidence in his appeal to Jewish voters, stating he should be polling at “100” percent among them. He blamed his lower numbers on “the Democrats’ hold or curse on you.” He warned that if he does not secure victory in the upcoming election, “a lot of bad things will happen,” adding that Israel will be “eradicated.”
During his dual speeches in Washington, Trump aimed to win over Jewish American voters while criticizing the rise of antisemitism. His comments came as the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel approaches, which have intensified conflict in the Middle East and created divisions within the Democratic Party, a development that Republicans believe may increase Jewish support for them.
Calling October 7 “a wake-up call for the entire world,” Trump received applause when he urged Harris to renounce “all Hamas sympathizers.” “Get smart. Here we have had the worst outbreak of antisemitism in many generations,” he said.
In his remarks, Trump pledged to deport “foreign Jihad sympathizers and Hamas supporters,” promising to restore his administration’s travel ban that restricted entry from several Muslim-majority countries. “We will get them out of our country. I will ban refugee resettlement from terror infested areas like the Gaza Strip, and we will seal our border and bring back the travel ban,” he stated. “Remember the famous travel ban?”
Trump has positioned himself as more aligned with Israel and the Jewish community compared to Harris and the Democratic Party, citing his administration’s accomplishments such as moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. However, critics have pointed out that he has also insulted some Jewish leaders and reinforced stereotypes about Jewish individuals having dual loyalties to the U.S. and Israel.
Morgan Finkelstein, Harris’ campaign spokesperson, accused Trump of using antisemitic language and suggested he would prioritize his own interests over Israel. “The Vice President has been incredibly clear: She has been a lifelong supporter of the State of Israel as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people,” Finkelstein stated. “She has an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel and will always stand up for its right to defend itself. She also stands steadfastly against antisemitism both at home and abroad and will do the same as President.”
On Thursday, Trump again claimed that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., is a “proud member of Hamas,” and referred to Jewish voters who support Democrats as those who "hate Israel" and hate "their religion." Schumer has been vocal against Trump, publishing a book addressing antisemitism and criticizing Trump for propagating “antisemitic stereotypes” during the Democratic National Convention.
Trump also announced policies aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses. He declared that if elected President, institutions that do not eliminate antisemitic propaganda would face loss of accreditation and be reported for civil rights violations. “We will not subsidize the creation of terrorist sympathizers,” he remarked.
His appearance at the Fighting Anti-Semitism event was introduced by GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, who noted the alarming rise of antisemitism in the U.S. “It has turned elite universities into propaganda factories where Jews are not welcome, and it undermines our U.S. ally of a source of stability when the Middle East is in chaos,” Adelson warned.
Adelson and her late husband Sheldon Adelson were significant contributors to Trump's previous campaign efforts. Although she did not participate in the primary fundraising, she has since supported Trump through a super PAC, Preserve America, committing millions.
Lee Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York who is Jewish, remarked that Trump has a significant opportunity because Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, are “choosing their words extraordinarily carefully,” which is frustrating long-time Democratic Jewish supporters who expect more leadership. “The Democrats are alienating a larger amount of the Jewish population, and they are bleeding out support because of it,” he added.
For decades, Jewish voters have mainly supported Democrats, yet Republicans claim they are beginning to gain traction. Trump, without evidence, has asserted that he has “probably around the 50 percent mark” with Jewish voters. A recent Pew Research Center poll indicated that Harris has the backing of 65 percent of Jewish registered voters, compared to Trump’s 34 percent, although Trump's support has reportedly increased since the 2020 election, where he received 27 percent.
“There is a perfect storm of issues that is coming together to make an inflection point in the Jewish Community,” noted Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, which plans to invest $15 million in advertising directed at Jewish voters in key states. “It’s going to be a jump ball election, and a shift in the Jewish vote could alter the state of this election.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
