Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, has accused former President Donald J. Trump of being “a known antisemite” in a video released on Tuesday. This marks a significant increase in attacks by President Biden’s campaign against Mr. Trump regarding his language towards Jews.
In the video, shared on social media by the Biden campaign under the title “Second Gentleman @DouglasEmhoff responds to Trump attacking Jewish Americans,” Mr. Emhoff criticizes Mr. Trump for his past statements and actions. Referring to a video where Mr. Trump suggested that Jews who vote for Mr. Biden “have to have their head examined,” Mr. Emhoff vehemently rejects taking any advice from someone with a history of antisemitic behavior.
The Biden campaign has been capitalizing on a recent news cycle that began when Mr. Trump posted, and later removed, a video on social media containing references to a “unified Reich.” Mr. Biden condemned Mr. Trump’s language in the video, accusing him of using “Hitler’s language.”
This is not the first time the Biden campaign has criticized Mr. Trump for using antisemitic language. Just two weeks ago, a campaign spokesman, Charles Lutvak, condemned Mr. Trump for his remarks suggesting that Jews who support Mr. Biden should be ashamed. Mr. Trump has a history of flirting with antisemitic language and imagery, as well as associating with openly antisemitic individuals.
In the past, Mr. Trump’s campaign posted and then deleted an image of his opponent, Hillary Clinton, with a Star of David and accusations of corruption. He has also made controversial statements regarding events like the 2017 rally in Charlottesville, where he claimed there were “very fine people” on both sides, including neo-Nazis. Mr. Trump’s connections to individuals with antisemitic views have also raised concerns.
Despite these controversies, Mr. Biden has faced criticism from various groups, including Arab and Muslim Americans, progressives, and other Democrats, for his support of Israel’s government in the wake of the conflict with Hamas. Mr. Biden’s decisions regarding arms shipments to Israel have also sparked controversy.
On college campuses, protests against the war in Gaza have been ongoing, with Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris facing demonstrations and criticism over their handling of the situation. At a recent event in Philadelphia, protesters disrupted Ms. Harris’s speech with pro-Palestinian slogans and signs.
In response to Mr. Emhoff’s remarks, Mr. Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, attempted to shift the focus to Mr. Biden, linking protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza to the current administration. Mr. Cheung portrayed opposition to the war as antisemitic and emphasized Mr. Trump’s support for Israel and the Jewish people.
Reporting from Philadelphia contributed by Nicholas Nehamas.
