Trump Claims Jewish Community Will Be Influential in Election Outcome if He Loses

Former US President Donald Trump sparked controversy during two events on Thursday addressing antisemitism and support for Israel, where he asserted that Jewish Americans would be a leading cause of his potential electoral loss if they do not vote for him. “If I don’t win this election the Jewish people would have a lot to do with a loss,” Trump declared at an event titled “Fighting Antisemitism.”

Expressing frustration over his level of support among Jewish voters, Trump said, “I really haven’t been treated right, but you haven’t been treated right, because you’re putting yourself in great danger.” His remarks prompted backlash from Jewish community leaders, with Amy Spitalnik, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, condemning his rhetoric as “dangerous antisemitism intended to sow division.”

Later that evening, Trump doubled down at an event hosted by the Israeli American Council (IAC), citing polling that placed Vice President Kamala Harris’s support among Jewish voters at 60 percent. He warned that if he loses, Israel’s survival could be at risk, predicting that Israel would be “annihilated within two years” under a Harris presidency. He claimed that Iran would swiftly obtain a nuclear weapon, and terrorist groups would turn Israeli cities into unlivable war zones.

Trump also highlighted the ongoing hostage crisis, calling for the swift return of American-Israelis held by Hamas. In a non-partisan moment, he invited rescued Hamas hostage Andrey Kozlov and Dedi Simchi, whose son was killed in the October 7 Hamas attack, to share their thoughts with the audience.

The events, both attended by largely Jewish audiences, were funded by Israeli-American casino magnate Miriam Adelson, a key Trump supporter. Adelson encouraged attendees to back Trump, praising him for his contributions to Jewish causes.

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