Trump claimed that any Jewish person who votes for a Democrat either lacks knowledge or is disloyal.
Trump accuses Jewish people who vote for Democrats of disloyalty
Video:
TRUMP: "I think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat — I think it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty." pic.twitter.com/I2lqFYTgXq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 20, 2019
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Via the official White House transcript as provided to PoliticusUSA, Trump said:
But I would not cut off aid to Israel. And I can’t even believe that we’re having this conversation.
Five years ago, the concept of even talking about this — even three years ago — of cutting off aid to Israel because of two people that hate Israel and hate Jewish people — I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation. Where has the Democratic Party gone? Where have they gone where they’re defending these two people over the State of Israel?
And I think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat, I think it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty
The idea that all Jews owe their loyalty to Israel because of their faith is fundamentally bigoted. The only thing worse than Trump’s bigotry is the notion Jews somehow owe him their loyalty, and if they don’t vote for Trump, they are stupid.
As a reminder 79% of Jewish voters voted for Democratic candidates in 2018, which means that Trump just accused nearly 80% of Jewish voters stupidity and disloyalty.
Since Trump took office the Jewish vote in midterms dropped six points. Hillary Clinton won 70% of the Jewish vote compared to 25% for Trump in 2016. The more Trump talks about Jews, the lower the Republican vote share goes.
Jews are not going to start voting for Trump because he is pointing his verbal bigotry at Muslims.
Trump has all but guaranteed that the Jewish vote for Democrats is going to be closer or above 80% with his comments. Trump opened his mouth and took another step toward losing the 2020 election.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association