Trump's Latest Comments About Jewish Voters Fuel New Democratic Attacks

Former President Donald Trump’s declaration at a Thursday event in Washington that Jewish Americans would “have a lot to do” with his defeat drew quick condemnation as a textbook example of antisemitism, with both the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee criticizing the Republican presidential nominee.

Trump’s comments, ironically delivered at an Israeli American Council event billed as being about combating antisemitism, come as he continues his very aggressive and often awkward courting of Jewish voters, whose support he often seems to believe his pro-Israel stances entitle him to, despite their century-long history of backing Democrats.

Of course, Trump’s focus on Jewish voters and frustration with their overall preference for Democrats were always a bit puzzling from an electoral perspective. Jewish voters rarely top discussions of demographic groups that will determine the outcome, though they might make a difference in a race that comes down to thousands or even hundreds of votes.

Regardless of the electoral impact of Trump’s comments, he’s showing how he manages to constantly undermine his own efforts. And his words, Jewish critics fear, could send a very specific message to the darkest and most antisemitic elements of the far right.

“It’s the same old, same old: blame the Jew for everything that happens,” said an ultra-Orthodox Jewish Trump supporter from New Jersey who attended the event, which was hosted by Miriam Adelson, a billionaire Republican megadonor and widow to the late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. (The supporter requested anonymity to avoid jeopardizing his community’s relationship with the former president.)

It remains far from clear whether Trump’s comments are enough to