Trump speaks out against white nationalists and omits dinner at their table in his speech to Jews
NEW YORK (AP) — Speaking at a conference of orthodox Jews on Friday, Donald Trump did not address a widely criticized private meal Last month, he shared the same birthday with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist and a rapper who has spewed antisemitic conspiracies.
The former president told the audience he was “the best ally you’ve ever had.”
Over and over, Trump heaped praise on the Jewish people and highlighted his support for Israel as he addressed the annual President’s Conference of Torah Umesorah at his National Doral club in Miami. He alleged Congress was “almost anti-Israel” and said without evidence that some Democrats in Washington “hate Israel with a passion.”
Trump struggling for political momentum A month after becoming the first candidate to officially enter the 2024 presidential election, he died. While he hoped his early announcement might put off potential challengers to the 2024 presidential contest, a series political setbacks has left him vulnerable as he begins his third presidential campaign.
The 76 year-old Republican received sharp criticism from his party after he ate with Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denizen white supremacist, as well as the rapper formerly known under Kanye West. Shortly after the meeting, West, who is now known as Ye, said, “I love Jewish people, but I also love Nazis.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence called on Trump to apologize for the meeting and said the former president had “demonstrated profoundly poor judgment.”
Trump at the time said he was not aware of his dinner guests’ views.
Trump completely ignored the incident on Friday. Trump also quoted from his 2019 State of the Union address, in which he stressed the importance of speaking against antisemitism.
“We must never ignore the vile poison of antisemitism or those who spread its venomous creed,” Trump said, reading from his own remarks. “With one voice we must confront this hatred; we must confront it everywhere; we must confront it very, very strongly.”
His remarks were interrupted by standing ovations from the audience multiple times.
“I believe I’m the best ally you’ve ever had,” Trump said.