Former President Donald J. Trump blamed Democrats for fostering antisemitism during an event commemorating the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Speaking to over 100 invited guests at his private resort in Doral, Florida, Trump claimed there was no antisemitism within the Republican Party, despite his endorsement of North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, who has faced controversy over antisemitic remarks.
Trump’s comments were notably softer than previous speeches regarding the Middle East conflict. In contrast to his usual direct attacks against political opponents and inflammatory remarks aimed at Jews who support them, he opted for a more measured approach, taking veiled swipes at the Biden administration. His speech oscillated between solemn remembrance and political rally rhetoric.
The event began with a tribute led by a rabbi, honoring the more than 1,200 people killed in the Hamas attack on Israel. Several Jewish leaders and elected officials lit memorial candles and gave speeches in remembrance of the victims. Organizers left empty chairs on either side of the stage, adorned with photos of hostages still held in Gaza, symbolizing their continued captivity.
The mood shifted when Trump took the stage, welcomed by applause and performing a small dance as his signature entrance song, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” played. Trump began his remarks by referencing the hurricane approaching Florida and indirectly criticized the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, framing it as part of his broader critique of current U.S. leadership.
Trump condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself. He also reiterated his belief that Israel must quickly conclude its war with Hamas and called for a stronger U.S. role in bringing peace to the Middle East. “You have no idea the role that the United States has to play in order to get that ball over the goal line,” he said, alluding to the critical position he believes the U.S. holds in resolving the conflict.
While Trump refrained from directly blaming the Biden administration for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, he criticized U.S. leadership for a rise in antisemitism. He did not acknowledge that reported antisemitic incidents increased during his own presidency. At one point, an audience member shouted, “What leadership?” in response to his critique, to which Trump responded, “That’s true.”
Later in his speech, Trump addressed the issue of antisemitism in the U.S., claiming that it exists within the Democratic Party but not among Republicans. This statement ignored controversies involving figures within his own party. For example, Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina and a Trump endorsee, has been embroiled in a scandal after a CNN report revealed that he referred to himself as a “black NAZI” on a pornographic website. Additionally, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a staunch Trump supporter, has made a series of antisemitic comments. Recently, she invoked an anti-Jewish trope by blaming Jews for the death of Jesus as a reason for voting against a bill designed to address antisemitism.
In his speech, Trump claimed, “The anti-Jewish hatred has returned even here in America, in our streets, our media, and our college campuses and within the ranks of the Democrat Party in particular, not in the Republican Party, I will tell you.” This statement drew applause from his supporters, after which he added, “The Republican Party has not been infected by this horrible disease. And hopefully, it won’t be. It won’t be as long as I’m in charge, I can tell you that.”
Trump’s remarks drew attention to the ongoing political battle over who bears responsibility for the rise of antisemitism in the U.S., as both parties face criticism over incidents involving their members. The event showcased Trump’s attempts to maintain support among Jewish voters and solidify his stance on Israel while deflecting criticism regarding antisemitic controversies within his own party.
The speech was part of Trump’s broader effort to position himself as the strongest ally of Israel, framing his political opponents as harmful to Jewish interests and values. While his rhetoric was slightly more subdued than in past speeches, the underlying political messaging remained the same: he positioned himself as a protector of Israel and American Jews, while painting the Democratic Party as harboring dangerous antisemitic elements.
