Rep. Douglas Emhoff on Friday slammed former President Trump for comments made at an event to raise awareness about fighting anti-Semitism in which the Republican candidate suggested Jews would shoulder some of the blame if he lost the presidential election in November.
“Last night, Donald Trump once again fanned the flames of anti-Semitism by promoting tropes that blame and scapegoat Jews,” said Emhoff, who is Jewish. Posted on Social platform X. “And he did it at an event aimed at fighting anti-Semitism.”
“This is dangerous and must be condemned,” he continued. “We will not be intimidated and we intend to continue living as Jews openly, proudly and unafraid.”
Emhoff has made tackling anti-Semitism a central focus of his duties as second gentleman.
He is involved in the White House's first national strategy to combat anti-Semitism and has stepped up his foreign role since last October's attacks on Israel killed more than 1,100 Israelis and sparked a broader war in the Middle East.
Speaking at two events focused on combating anti-Semitism on Thursday, President Trump sounded the alarm about the fate of Israel if Vice President Harris wins the November presidential election, and told the audience that Jewish voters who supported the Democratic candidate “should get their heads checked.”
Trump said his approval rating among the US Jewish community is 40 percent and blasted the 60 percent of people who polled say support Harris, saying they are voting for “the enemy.”
“In my opinion, if I got 40 percent approval, Jews would have a lot to do with my defeat,” Trump said at a campaign event titled “Fighting Anti-Semitism” hosted by Israeli-American Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
After the event, the former president repeated similar comments while giving the keynote speech at the Israeli-American Conference, a benefactor of Adelson.
“If I don't win this election — and that's in large part because 60 percent of Jews are voting for me — Israel will be gone within two years,” Trump told a sympathetic and receptive audience.
“I believe I am 100 percent right. If I win, Israel will be safe and secure and we will be able to stop the poison of anti-Semitism,” he added.
