On September 19, 2024, Donald Trump, while speaking before the Israeli American Council (IAC), made a number of comments about Israel, the Jews, and his consistent support for the State of Israel.  One such comment was, “If I don’t win this election – and the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens because if 40 percent, I mean, 60 percent of the people are voting for the enemy – Israel, in my opinion, will cease to exist within two years” (as reported in Aljazeera on 9/20/24).  He went on to say that he should be getting 100% of the Jewish vote because of his policies on Israel.

Let’s unpack this statement a bit to understand its full impact and relevance:

• First, it is clear that Trump is ready to largely blame Jewish Americans if he loses the upcoming election. What is odd is that on the one hand, he claims that he is the most loyal friend to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and on the other hand, he is ready to blame them for his potential loss.

• Now, consider Donald Trump’s support base. It is no secret that some of his supporters are fringe hate groups like the Proud Boys and various White Supremacists and Neo-Nazi groups.  For example, in 2016, the Ku Klux Klan’s official newspaper endorsed Trump for President, according to Business Insider (September 30, 2020).  Even David Duke, the former KKK leader, when running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, told the LA Times, “The fact that Donald Trump’s doing so well, it proves that I’m winning.”  And Trump, himself, infamously stated that there were “very fine people” on “both sides,” when referring to the deadly Neo-Nazi violence in Charlottesville in August 2017.

So, with these types of supporters, it is reasonable to assume that Trump has either intentionally or inadvertently planted the seeds of violence against the Jewish people and other minority groups in our nation should he lose his bid for the White House in 2024.

• It is also interesting to note that Trump refers to Kamila Harris as “the enemy” in his above comments to the IAC. In reality, she is not the enemy; she is an American who is the opposing candidate for President.  But by using this “war talk,” it is apparent that Donald Trump views himself at war with Kamila Harris, the Democrats, the Liberals, the immigrants, various minority groups, and perhaps countless others.  Yet all these various groups make up part of the population within our country.  Is it surprising, therefore, that Trump’s loss during the last election resulted in an attempted insurrection by his followers?

• Ultimately, let us remember that Trump wants to become our future President. That role requires him to represent and support all the citizens of this nation.  Does he have the character, the wisdom, and the will to do so?  Based upon his previous and ongoing actions and comments, he most definitely does not.