Former President Donald J. Trump once again criticized Jews who support Democratic candidates on Wednesday, stating that “any Jewish person that votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined.”
His remarks, delivered to reporters in Atlanta while criticizing President Biden’s handling of Israel’s conflict in Gaza, are the latest in a series of comments where Mr. Trump has questioned the loyalty of Jewish voters who align with the Democratic Party.
Critics have pointed out that such statements perpetuate an antisemitic stereotype suggesting that Jews have a “dual loyalty” and prioritize their allegiance to Israel or their religious beliefs over their own country.
A spokesman for the Biden campaign, James Singer, condemned Mr. Trump’s divisive comments, emphasizing that Jewish Americans should not be threatened or manipulated by such rhetoric. Mr. Singer added, “This is a tactic used by Trump to sow division and hatred for his own political gain.”
Mr. Trump has been making efforts to attract American Jews, who predominantly lean liberal, away from the Democratic Party. His endeavors have escalated since the onset of the conflict in Gaza, which has exposed divisions within the Democratic ranks regarding the Biden administration’s response.
In his recent attempts to gain support from Jewish voters, Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized American Jews who do not endorse his candidacy, accusing them of lacking loyalty to Israel. During an interview on Real America’s Voice, he asserted that “any Jewish person that votes for Biden does not love Israel and should be addressed.”
Last month, Mr. Trump told Sebastian Gorka that Jewish individuals supporting Democrats “hate their religion” and everything related to Israel. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to internal strife within the Democratic Party, with some critics accusing President Biden of not adequately addressing civilian casualties.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, Mr. Biden has adopted a more critical stance towards Israel. Following the killing of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza, he warned that future support for Israel could be contingent on addressing his concerns regarding military actions.
Mr. Trump has refrained from extensive commentary on the conflict, initially criticizing Israel’s preparedness after the attack but then expressing support for its right to self-defense. However, his remarks about Israel losing public support due to images of destruction in Gaza have drawn criticism from staunch Israel supporters on the right.
During an interview, Mr. Trump suggested that Israel must be cautious as it risks losing global backing. He emphasized the importance of completing objectives to regain support and improve the country’s reputation.
Throughout his presidency, Mr. Trump consistently favored Israel over the Palestinians by relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, endorsing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and facilitating agreements between Israel and Arab states.
Presently, Mr. Trump continues to position himself as a staunch supporter of Israel, criticizing Mr. Biden for allegedly abandoning the country. He portrayed the upcoming election as a referendum on Christian values, declaring that Election Day would also be “Christian Visibility Day,” urging Christians to vote for him.
In response to a controversy surrounding Transgender Day of Visibility, Mr. Trump framed his campaign as a defense of Christian values against leftist ideologies. Despite not displaying religious fervor before entering politics, he has emphasized the importance of religion in American society.
Last month, he endorsed a Bible that includes copies of the nation’s founding documents, advocating for a return to prayer in America. Mr. Trump’s third presidential campaign focuses on upholding Christian principles and values.
