Donald Trump criticizes Jewish-Americans for not voting for him

WASHINGTON - Former President Donald Trump used a speech on anti-Semitism Thursday to repeatedly berate Jewish-Americans for voting heavily Democratic, repeating his line that Jews who back Vice President Kamala Harris this fall should "have their head examined."

"I really haven't been treated very well, but that's the story of my life," Trump said in the speech, delivered at a Capitol Hill hotel. He said he received only 24% of the Jewish vote in the 2020 election after being "the best president ever" for them and Israel.

The anti-Semitism event at which Trump spoke was organized by Miriam Adelson, a physician, philanthropist, and prominent Republican Party donor. Adelson is the widow of the late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, also a major GOP donor.

"I will be the best friend Jewish-Americans have ever had in the White House," Trump told the largely supportive audience.

Opponents said Trump is again engaging in stereotypes by equating Jewish voters only with issues regarding Israel.

"Donald Trump can't help but disparage millions of American Jews when he's speaking to Jews," said Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, speaking on the social media site X. "There's a name for this form of hatred - he's an anti-Semite."

Soifer reposted a comment by Trump expressing frustration for his lack of support among Jewish.

"I have to say this, and it hurts me to say it, you're going to still vote for Democrats, and it doesn't make sense," Trump said in the speech ostensibly devoted to fighting anti-Semitism in the United States.

At another point, Trump said: "I just find it so hard to believe." He also said that he believes "100%" of the Jewish vote.

Trump spoke later in the evening to the Israeli-American Council, also an Adelson-backed organization, and made many of the same complaints.

Jewish voters should support him because of his record on Israel issues, Trump said, from his decision to put the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem to his support in the war against Hamas.

In both addresses, he claimed that a Harris win will lead to the destruction of Israel.

The Republican candidate also said in both speeches that, if he loses the election to Harris, the Jewish vote could be the reason why.

In another X post, Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said that "Trump’s antisemitism speech is, for the umpteenth time, advancing this antisemitic trope. Stop dividing Jews into “good” and “bad” camps. Stop labeling those who don’t support you as crazy or disloyal. Stop playing into dual loyalty tropes. All of it makes Jews less safe."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump criticizes Jewish-Americans for not voting for him