What They’re Saying: Trump Says Jews Disloyal If They Vote for Democrats

What's the story?

• President Donald Trump on Tuesday said American Jews who vote for Democrats show "either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty."
• Trump made his comments after Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel after being banned from entering that country amid pressure by Trump.
• "Five years ago, the concept of even talking about this - even three years ago - of cutting off aid to Israel because of two people that hate Israel and hate Jewish people—I can't believe we're even having this conversation," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday.

"Where has the Democratic Party gone? Where have they gone where they're defending these two people over the State of Israel? I think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat—it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty."

What are people saying?

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who's running for president, told a campaign crowd in Iowa:

“I am a proud Jewish person, and I have no concerns about voting Democratic. And in fact, I intend to vote for a Jewish man to become the next president of the United States."

Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke, another 2020 contender, tweeted:

Ted Deutch (D-FL), who supported Trump's decision to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, called on Trump to apologize:

“It would be an enormous start if we can all acknowledge there is no place for language like that,” Deutch told CBS Miami.

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted:

The Republican Jewish Coalition defended Trump's statement, tweeting:

Trump on Wednesday shared a comment from conservative radio host Wayne Allyn Root, who called Trump the “best president for Israel" and compared him to the "King of Israel."

What do you think?

How do you feel about Trump saying Jews are disloyal if they vote for Democrats? Should Congress censor him for his comments? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman