Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) addressed Donald Trump’s recent controversial remark about American Jews and Israel at a House Republican leadership press conference Wednesday.
In an interview published online Monday, the former president told Sebastian Gorka, one of his former White House aides who now hosts a conservative talk radio program, that “any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion, they hate everything about Israel, and they should be ashamed of themselves.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the comment “a textbook example of antisemitism.”
The language echoed past statements Trump has made. He’s previously said American Jews “don’t love Israel enough” and accused Jews in the United States who vote Democratic of being “very disloyal to Israel.” When speaking to American Jews, the former president has also repeatedly referred to Israel as “your country” and to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “your prime minister.” On several occasions, Trump also referred to former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman as “your ambassador.”
“What do you make of the former president’s comments saying that Jews who vote for Democrats hate Israel and their religion?” a reporter asked the Speaker.
“I don’t speak for President Trump, but I understand the sentiment that he’s trying to express,” Johnson replied.
