Share this @internewscast.com

Senate Republicans offered a variety of responses Tuesday to their party’s presumptive presidential nominee’s saying this week that Jewish voters who back Democrats hate Israel.

A handful of senators criticized former President Donald Trump’s comments, some appeared to agree with him, and at least two insisted they hadn’t seen the remarks, which invoked a trope that American Jews have divided loyalties between the U.S. and Israel.

Other senators responded with what became a common refrain while Trump was in office — saying it was a poor choice of words without directly condemning him.

“I wouldn’t say any of that,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said of Trump’s comments.

“It’s not what I would say,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., similarly suggested that Trump could use “more artful language” but contended that he is “not wrong about, I think, Democratic leaders’ failing the Israeli state and, and second-guessing them.”

Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said he hadn’t closely followed Trump’s remarks but added that he “speaks his mind.”

Asked whether Trump should back off the kind of rhetoric he used this week, Thune said he’d “prefer to keep people’s religious faith out of these discussions.”

The firestorm started when Trump said in an interview with Sebastian Gorka, a former Trump administration official, that “any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion.”

“They hate everything about Israel, and they should be ashamed of themselves, because Israel will be destroyed,” Trump continued, before he discussed Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, a frequent Trump critic, offered some of the most pointed criticism of Trump’s remarks.

“That’s highly offensive,” he said. “We do not in this country attack people based upon their religious beliefs or their political views.”

“Conflating religion to politics is an enormous error and violates some of the founding principles of our, of our government and our American history. It’s a terrible mistake on his part, for which he really ought to apologize but won’t,” Romney added.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., meanwhile, appeared to echo Trump’s position that Jewish voters are wrong to back Democrats.

“I don’t know why any Jewish person would support Democrats,” he said. “The Biden administration is not holding Hamas accountable.”

A Pew Research Center poll conducted last month found that 62% of Jewish Americans held a favorable view of President Joe Biden, while 21% of Jewish Americans rated Trump favorably.

Biden’s re-election campaign has condemned the comments, with a campaign spokesperson saying Monday that “Donald Trump openly demeans Jewish Americans.”

Visiting Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, blasted Trump’s remarks as “a disgusting, toxic, antisemitic thing to say by anyone, let alone a former president.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is also Jewish and recently called for new elections in Israel, condemned the remarks, calling them “utterly disgusting and a textbook example of the kind of antisemitism facing Jews, pushing the dangerous antisemitism trope of dual loyalty.”

Trump accused “liberal Jews” in a social media post last year of voting to “destroy” the U.S. and Israel.

On Tuesday, Trump appeared to double down on his recent remarks as he left a polling location in Palm Beach, Florida. Asked about his comments in the Gorka interview, he said, “Democrats have been very, very opposed to Jewish people.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
NYPD cop racked up more than 500 speeding tickets in NYC since 2022: report

Shocking NYC Report: NYPD Officer Accumulates Over 500 Speeding Violations Since 2022 – A Deep Dive

An NYPD officer has been identified as one of New York City’s…
Trump calls for 2020 presidential election to be 'permanently wiped from the books' if Southern Poverty Law Center convicted of fraud

Trump Urges Erasure of 2020 Election Results Amid Controversy Involving Southern Poverty Law Center

On Friday, former President Trump suggested that the 2020 election should be…
2026 NFL Draft: Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, whose mother Ashley Griggs died in Chicago shooting, drafted No. 4 overall

2026 NFL Draft: Ohio State’s Carnell Tate Honors Late Mother Ashley Griggs, Secures No. 4 Pick

In a significant moment for both the athlete and his supporters, Carnell…
San Diego cuts deal with Disney that will bring huge boost to port traffic

San Diego Secures Landmark Deal with Disney to Skyrocket Port Traffic and Economic Growth

Disney Cruise Line is making a significant commitment to San Diego’s port,…
Tranquilized bear that fell from tree in Albany released back into the wild

Tranquilized Bear Rescued from Albany Tree Successfully Returned to Natural Habitat

The escape was a bear necessity! The black bear that captured the…
Long Island PTA mom accused of stealing $50K from elementary school while she served as NYPD officer

Long Island PTA Mom and NYPD Officer Charged with Embezzling $50K from Elementary School Funds

On Wednesday, authorities reported the arrest of a PTA mom from Long…
Hugh Jackman takes on new role for innovative charity

Hugh Jackman Joins Groundbreaking Charity Initiative in Exciting New Role

Hugh Jackman, renowned for his leading roles in blockbuster films such as…
Ukraine pitches 'Donnyland' to honor Trump's aid against Russia: report

Ukraine Proposes ‘Donnyland’ Tribute to Recognize Trump’s Support in Russia Conflict

According to a recent report, Ukrainian officials have proposed renaming a portion…
Distinguished ex-cop arrested for 'mass shooting' plot to gun down black people at New Orleans festival

Former High-Ranking Officer Detained in Alleged Plot Targeting New Orleans Festival Attendees

A former police officer from North Carolina, once recognized as “Officer of…
Odds for California governor sway massively after snorefest debate

California Governor Race Heats Up as Debate Shifts Betting Odds Dramatically

Last night’s gubernatorial debate in California appears to have shifted the momentum…
The Kremlin’s war on censorship looks a lot like trigger warnings in NYC, dissident Russian director says

Russian Director Compares Kremlin’s Censorship Tactics to NYC’s Trigger Warnings

Fleeing Russia in pursuit of freedom, a prominent director found himself ensnared…
California dominates pollution ratings with eight cities in top 25

California Cities Lead Pollution Rankings with Eight in Top 25

As California gears up for new clean-air initiatives and a contested electric…