Trump says ‘Jewish people would have a lot to do’ with his loss ‘if that happens’

Former President Trump, speaking at two events raising awareness for combating antisemitism, is telegraphing that a loss in the 2024 presidential election largely would be blamed on the American Jewish vote.

The Republican presidential nominee lashed out at what he said is 40 percent support among the Jewish American community in the U.S., saying the 60 percent polled who favor Kamala Harris are voting for the “enemy.”  

“In my opinion, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with a loss, if I’m at 40 percent,” Trump said during a campaign event at an event called “Fighting Antisemitism” and hosted by Israeli American Republican mega-donor Miriam Adelson, at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

After the event, Trump was the keynote speaker at the Israeli American Conference, also a beneficiary of Adelson, where he repeated similar comments. 

“If I don’t win this election — and Jewish people would have a lot to do with that, 60 percent are voting for the enemy — Israel will cease to exist in two years,” Trump said to a favorable and receptive crowd. “I believe I’m 100 percent right. … If I do win, Israel will be safe and secure, and we’ll stop the toxic poison of antisemitism.”

The comments drew quick criticism from supporters of Vice President Harris and raised warnings among leaders in the Jewish community. 

“Treating Jews and Israel as political footballs makes Jews, Israel, and all of us less safe,” Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said in a statement to The Forward.

“Dividing Jews into ‘good’ and ‘bad’ camps and engaging in dual loyalty tropes further normalizes antisemitism. Anyone who cares about Jewish safety should call it out,” she added. “This is not partisan politics — it’s about the fundamental safety of the Jewish community.”

“If any other national politician said: “the Jewish people would have a lot to do with a loss” – to preemptively blame Jews for a potential loss- their career & candidacy would be over. How people continue to ignore this is scary,” Alyssa Farah Griffin, a onetime Trump administration official who has become an outspoken critic of the former president, posted on the social platform X. 

“Donald Trump is now saying that the ‘Jewish people’ will be to blame if he loses this election. This is vile and dangerous and should be condemned by all Americans. Antisemitic rhetoric like this makes Jews less safe,” Andrew Weinstein, a Jewish Democrat from South Florida who served as a delegate to the United Nations for the Biden administration, posted on X. 

Likewise, Common Defense, a grassroots organization of U.S. military veterans, described Trump’s remarks as “antisemitic rhetoric” that “puts Jewish lives at risk.”

“Donald Trump is now saying the ‘Jewish people’ will be to blame if he loses the election. This is disgusting and, more importantly, dangerous. Antisemitic rhetoric like this puts Jewish lives at risk, and all Americans should be outraged,” the group said in a statement on X.