Donald Trump’s history of anti-Semitic comments, refusal to disavow the KKK, penchant for re-tweeting white supremacists and neo-Nazis, and near-constant portrayals of the media as being, “The worst people in the world,” is beginning to have consequences outside the political realm. Trump refused to condemn anti-Semitic attacks against Julia Ioffe, attacks that have now necessitated police action.
Read more from the Washington Post.
Background:
Trump’s Anti-Semitic Comments
- Trump referred to Jewish people as “short guys in yarmulkes” and said he preferred them counting his money. Trump also said to a group of Jewish Republicans that he was “a negotiator like you folks” and that he did “not want your money.” Trump was booed by the audience at this speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition.
- Ivana Trump reported that John Waters, a Trump employee, would say “Heil Hitler” to Trump.
- In 2016, Trump retweeted neo-Nazi Twitter Account called @WhiteGenocideTM.
- In 2016, Neo-Nazi site The Daily Stormer endorsed Trump.
- Trump would not answer question on how proposed Muslim database would be different from registration of Jews in Nazi Germany.
- After writing a profile of Melania Trump, journalist Julia Ioffe received torrent of anti-semitic messages, which Trump refused to disavow
Trump Made Offensive Statements About Jewish People
Trump Repeatedly Used Offensive Jewish Stereotypes In Conversation, on Campaign Trail
John O’Donnell, Trump Associate, Said Trump Preferred “Short Guys In Yarmulkes” Counting His Money. According to Donald Trump: A Biography Of The Mogul Turned Presidential Candidate, “For instance, a former Trump associate, John O’Donnell, wrote that Trump would often describe black people as being lazy and stupid; he would bemoan the ‘black guys counting my money.’ He would prefer the ‘short guys that wear yarmulkes.’ It wasn’t only African-Americans who had earned Trump’s derision. Years later, Trump told Playboy that these remarks were ‘probably true.’” [Donald Trump: A Biography Of The Mogul Turned Presidential Candidate, 2015]
[Video] Trump To The RJC: “I’m A Negotiator Like You Folks.” “I’m a negotiator, like you folks. […] Is there anyone in this room who doesn’t negotiate deals? Probably more than any room I’ve ever spoken.” [Donald Trump, Republican Jewish Coalition, Washington, DC, 12/3/15]
[Video] Trump To The RJC: “I Don’t Want Your Money.” ““I don’t want any of your money. […] Stupidly, you want to give money. Trump doesn’t want money. […] You’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money. […] I would love your support but I don’t want your money.” [Donald Trump, Republican Jewish Coalition, Washington, DC, 12/3/15]
Trump To The RJC: “You Just Like Me Because My Daughter Happens To Be Jewish.” [Donald Trump, Republican Jewish Coalition, Washington, DC, 12/3/15]
Trump Organization Employee Would Say “Heil Hitler” When Visiting Trump
Ivana Trump Claimed That Trump Organization Employee John Walter Would Click His Heels And Joke “Heil Hitler” When Visiting With Trump. According to Vanity Fair, “Donald Trump appears to take aspects of his German background seriously. John Walter works for the Trump Organization, and when he visits Donald in his office, Ivana told a friend, he clicks his heels and says, ‘Heil Hitler,’ possibly as a family joke.” [Vanity Fair, 9/1/1990]
Trump Retweeted Neo-Nazi’s
Trump Retweeted Neo-Nazi Twitter Account @WhiteGenocideTM
2016: Trump Retweeted Neo-Nazi Twitter Account Called “@WhiteGenocideTM.” According to NBC News, “Donald Trump on Friday retweeted what appears to be a neo-Nazi Twitter account that posted a photoshopped picture mocking rival Jeb Bush. The tweet by user ‘@WhiteGenocideTM’ featured an image of Bush dressed as a panhandler outside Trump Tower with a ‘Vote Trump’ sign.” [NBC News, 1/22/16]
- WhiteGenocideTM’s Profile Picture Was Image Of American Nazi Party Founder. According to NBC News, “WhiteGenocideTM’s profile picture is an image of George Lincoln Rockwell, the infamous founder of the American Nazi Party, with the caption ‘The Man Who Wants To Be Hitler.’ His listed location is ‘Jewmerica.’” [NBC News, 1/22/16]
- WhiteGenocideTM’s Location Was Listed As “Jewmerica.” According to NBC News, “WhiteGenocideTM’s profile picture is an image of George Lincoln Rockwell, the infamous founder of the American Nazi Party, with the caption ‘The Man Who Wants To Be Hitler.’ His listed location is ‘Jewmerica.’” [NBC News, 1/22/16]
Neo-Nazi Site Endorsed Trump
Neo-Nazi Website “The Daily Stormer” Formally Endorsed Trump
Vice, 2015: “The Daily Stormer, Another Prominent Neo-Nazi Site, Formally Endorsed Trump For President.” According to Vice, “In June, the Daily Stormer, another prominent neo-Nazi site, formally endorsed Trump for president. Trump ‘is absolutely the only candidate who is even talking about anything at all that matters,’ wrote Daily Stormer’s founder, Andrew Anglin. ‘[H]e is talking about actual issues, and this is severely important.’” [Vice, 12/13/15]
The Daily Stormer, 2015: “The Jews Are Now Saying Trump Is Worse Than David Duke.” [Daily Stormer, 12/19/15]
Trump When Asked How Muslim Database Would Be Different From Database Of Jews: “You Tell Me”
Trump Refused To Answer How His Proposed Database Of Muslims Would Differ From Nazis’ Database Of Jewish People
New York Times: When Asked How A Database Of Muslims “Database Would Be Different From Jews Having To Register In Nazi Germany, Mr. Trump Repeatedly Said, ‘You Tell Me.’” According to the New York Times, “Asked later, as he signed autographs, how such a database would be different from Jews having to register in Nazi Germany, Mr. Trump repeatedly said, ‘You tell me,’ until he stopped responding to the question. Both Mr. Trump and Ben Carson, the top two Republican presidential candidates in most polls, have made sharply provocative remarks about Muslim refugees from Syria and Iraq, and have been criticized by Muslim groups in the United States.” [New York Times, 11/20/15]
- [Video] Asked The Difference Between A Database Tracking Muslims And Registration Of Jews In Nazi Germany Trump Responded “You Tell Me.” Question: Mr. Trump, why would Muslim databases not be the same thing as requiring Jews to register in Nazi Germany? What would be the difference? Is there a difference between the two? Donald Trump: Who are you with? Question: I’m with NBC News. Is there a difference between requiring Muslims to register and Jews? Trump: You tell me. You tell me. Question: Do you believe? Trump: Why don’t you tell me.” [NBC News,11/20/15]
Trump Relationship With Jews And Israelis
Trump Was Booed At Republican Jewish Coalition Over Position On Israeli Capital
December 2015: At Republican Jewish Coalition, “Trump Was Even Booed When He Didn’t Commit To Backing Jerusalem As Israel’s Capital Instead Of Tel Aviv.” According to the Miami Herald, “It was hard to keep track of the number of times Donald Trump stereotyped Jews in a speech Thursday — to the Republican Jewish Coalition. […] Trump was even booed when he didn’t commit to backing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital instead of Tel Aviv. (‘Who’s the wise guy?’ Trump asked. ‘Do me a favor: Just relax, OK. You’ll like me very much, believe me.’)” [Miami Herald, 12/3/15]
Trump Pointed To Role As Parade Grand Marshall, Jewish Relatives As His Pro-Israel Credentials
March 2016 CNN Republican Primary Debate: To Explain His Pro-Israel Credentials, Trump Cited His Role As The Grand Marshall In An Israeli Day Parade In New York City, His Jewish Daughter, Son-In-Law, And Grandchildren, And His “Massive Contributions To Israel.” According to The Washington Post, “TRUMP: First of all, there’s nobody on this stage that’s more pro Israel than I am. OK. There’s nobody. (APPLAUSE) TRUMP: I am pro-Israel. (BOOING) TRUMP: I was the grand marshall, not so long ago, of the Israeli Day Parade down 5th avenue. I’ve made massive contributions to Israel. I have a lot of — I have tremendous love for Israel. I happen to have a son-in-law and a daughter that are Jewish, OK? And two grandchildren that are Jewish.” [Washington Post, 3/10/16]
Trump Refused To Disavow Anti-Semite, KKK Grand Wizard David Duke
Trump Refused To Disavow David Duke, White Supremacists
When Asked If He Would Disavow David Duke And White Supremacists, Trump Instead Said “I Know Nothing About David Duke. I Know Nothing About White Supremacists.” According to an interview by Donald Trump On CNN’s State Of The Union With Jake Tapper, “TAPPER: I want to ask you about the Anti-Defamation League, which this week called on you to publicly condemn unequivocally the racism of former KKK grand wizard David Duke, who recently said that voting against you at this point would be treason to your heritage. Will you unequivocally condemn David Duke and say that you don’t want his vote or that of other white supremacists in this election? TRUMP: Well, just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke. OK? I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So, I don’t know. I don’t know, did he endorse me or what’s going on, because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists. And so you’re asking me a question that I’m supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about.” [CNN’s State Of The Union With Jake Tapper, 2/28/16]
Trump Would Not Condemn David Duke And The KKK: “I Don’t Know David Duke…. I Just Don’t Know Anything About Him.” According to CNN’s State Of The Union With Jake Tapper, “TAPPER: The Ku Klux Klan? TRUMP: But you may have groups in there that are totally fine, and it would be very unfair. So, give me a list of the groups, and I will let you know. TAPPER: OK. I mean, I’m just talking about David Duke and the Ku Klux Klan here, but… TRUMP: I don’t know any — honestly, I don’t know David Duke. I don’t believe I have ever met him. I’m pretty sure I didn’t meet him. And I just don’t know anything about him.” [CNN’s State Of The Union With Jake Tapper, 2/28/16]
When Asked If He Would Condemn White Supremacist Groups Supporting Him, Trump Said “I Have To Look At The Group.” According to CNN’s State Of The Union With Jake Tapper, “TAPPER: But I guess the question from the Anti-Defamation League is, even if you don’t know about their endorsement, there are these groups and individuals endorsing you. Would you just say unequivocally you condemn them and you don’t want their support? TRUMP: Well, I have to look at the group. I mean, I don’t know what group you’re talking about. You wouldn’t want me to condemn a group that I know nothing about. I would have to look. If you would send me a list of the groups, I will do research on them. And, certainly, I would disavow if I thought there was something wrong.” [CNN’s State Of The Union With Jake Tapper, 2/28/16]
Duke Praised Trump For “Taking On The Jewish Establishment”
David Duke Praised Trump For “Taking On The Jewish Establishment” And Said “Voting Against Donald Trump At This Point Is Really Treason To Your Heritage.” According to Newsday, “Duke voiced backing for Trump on his radio program recently, and praised him for ‘taking on the Jewish establishment,’ although he stopped short of endorsing the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. He also said that ‘voting against Donald Trump at this point is really treason to your heritage.’” [Newsday, 2/28/16]
KKK Grand Wizard David Duke On Trump: “A Lot Of What He Says Resonates With Me.” According to the Washington Post, “The same rhetoric that frightens critics (‘Trump has really lifted the lid off a Pandora’s box of real hatred and directed it at Muslims,’ said the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Mark Potok) draws praise from supporters such as former Louisiana politician and KKK Grand Wizard David Duke. Duke told The Post that while he has not officially endorsed Trump, he considers the candidate to be the ‘best of the lot’ at the moment. ‘I think a lot of what he says resonates with me,’ Duke said.” [Washington Post, 12/21/15]
Trump Refused To Disavow Supporters’ Anti-Semitic Attacks Against Reporter
After Writing Profile Of Melania Trump, Journalist Julia Ioffe Received Torrnet Of Anti-Semitic Messages
2016: After Journalist Julia Ioffe Wrote Profile Of Melania Trump For GQ Magazine, She Received Torrent Of Anti-Semitic And Threatening Messages From Trump Supporters. According to The Guardian, “Journalist Julia Ioffe has experienced this kind of harassment before: in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. In the 24 hours since her profile of Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, appeared in GQ magazine, the Russian-American journalist has received a torrent of antisemitic, vitriolic and threatening messages from supporters of the Republican frontrunner.” [Guardian, 4/28/16]
- Guardian: “Ioffe Answered A Phone Call From An Anonymous Caller Who Played A Hitler Speech.”According to The Guardian, “On Thursday, Ioffe answered a phone call from an anonymous caller who played a Hitler speech.” [Guardian, 4/28/16]
- Guardian: Ioffe “Received Another Call From ‘Overnight Caskets.’”According to The Guardian, “She received another call from ‘Overnight Caskets’.” [Guardian, 4/28/16]
- Guardian: Twitter Users Posted Photos Of Ioffe’s Face “Superimposed On A Mug Shot From Auschwitz.” According to The Guardian, “On Twitter, users posted photos of her face superimposed on a mug shot from Auschwitz.” [Guardian, 4/28/16]
- Guardian: White Supremacist Site “The Daily Stormer” Produced Post Entitled “Empress Melania Attacked By Filthy Russian Kike Julia Ioffe In GQ!”According to The Guardian, “The Daily Stormer, a white supremacist site, attacked Ioffe in a blogpost titled: ‘Empress Melania Attacked by Filthy Russian Kike Julia Ioffe in GQ!’” [Guardian, 4/28/16]
Trump Refused To Disavow Anti-Semitic Vitriol Directed Toward Ioffe
2016: Trump Refused To Disavow Anti-Semitic Attacks, Death Threats Against Reporter Julia Ioffe: “I Don’t Know About That. I Don’t Know Anything About That.” Interview. Blitzer: Let’s talk about another story that’s come out. And I know you hated this article in GQ about your wife Melania. Julia Ioffe wrote it. She posted, Melania, it was dishonest, inaccurate. A very tough piece. But since then, some of your supporters have viciously attacked his woman, Julia Ioffe, with anti-Semitic attacks, death threats. These people get so angry. What’s your message to these people when something like that happens? Trump: I haven’t read the article but I heard it was a very inaccurate article and I heard it was a nasty article. I’m married to a woman who is a very fine woman. She’s a very fine woman. She doesn’t need this, believe me. She was very, very successful, she did tremendously well as a top model, she made a lot of money and she’s a nice person. And I guess some of the article says that she would go in at night and she would stay — she wasn’t a party person, you know, it’s not her thing. But this was a very — this is a very high quality woman who loves people and has a big heart. She doesn’t need to be — have bad things said about her and I heard the article was nasty. Now, I haven’t read it, but I heard the article was not what it should be. They shouldn’t be doing that with wives. I mean, they shouldn’t be doing that. Melania as a top model they sent pictures around to Utah — Blitzer: The death threats that followed. Trump: I don’t know about that. I don’t know anything about that. Do you mean fans of mine? Blitzer: Supposed fans of yours posting these very angry — Trump: I know nothing about it. You’ll have to talk to them about it. Blitzer: But your message to these fans is — Trump: I don’t have a message to the fans. A woman wrote an article that was inaccurate. [CNN, Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer:, 5/4/16]
Published: May 9, 2016