Trump says at antisemitism event that Jewish voters would bear some blame if he loses in November

Donald Trump said that “the Jewish people” would be partially to blame if he loses in November, escalating his persistent campaign trail criticism of Jewish voters.

Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that “the Jewish people” would be partially to blame if he loses in November, escalating his persistent campaign trail criticism of Jewish voters and insisting that Democrats hold a “curse” over them. “I’m not going to call this as a prediction, but in my opinion, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with a loss if I’m at 40%” support in the polls, Trump said at a Republican gathering in Washington to combat antisemitism. “If I’m at 40, think of it, that means 60% are voting for Kamala (Harris), who, in particular, is a bad Democrat. The Democrats are bad to Israel, very bad.” The former president did not specify what polling he was referring to. Trump has frequently questioned why Jewish Americans would consider voting for his opponent, repeatedly saying that Jewish Democratic voters “should have their head examined.” Speaking to an audience Thursday that included GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, who introduced him onstage, Trump called the upcoming US election “the most important” in Israel’s history, claiming that the Jewish state would be “eradicated,” “wiped off the face of the earth” and “cease to exist” if Harris wins the presidency. But the former president appeared preoccupied with what he described as ingratitude from Jewish voters, whom he said should be supporting him in greater proportions because of his record on Israel. “A poll just came out. I’m at 40%,” Trump said, again without identifying the survey. “That means you got 60% voting for somebody that hates Israel. And I say it, it’s going to happen. It’s only because of the Democrat hold or curse on you. You can’t let this happen. Forty percent is not acceptable, because we have an election to win.”