Anti-Defamation League decries Trump's use of ‘centuries-old antisemitic trope' at rally
'The term 'Shylock' evokes a centuries-old antisemitic trope about Jews and greed that is extremely offensive and dangerous. President Trump's use of the term is very troubling and irresponsible,' the statement read. 'Words from our leaders matter and we expect more from the President of the United States.'
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a progressive organization, also condemned Trump's comments on Friday, saying in a statement that the president's use of the word 'is not an accident.'
'Shylock is among the most quintessential antisemitic stereotypes. This is not an accident. It follows years in which President Trump has normalized antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories — and it's deeply dangerous,' the council's statement read.
But Trump has claimed that he did not know the weight the term carried.
'I've never heard it that way,' the president told reporters aboard Air Force One early Friday morning. 'To me, Shylock is somebody that's a moneylender at high rates. I've never heard it that way. You view it differently than me.'
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on ADL's statement.
The term 'Shylock' originated in the Shakespearean play 'The Merchant of Venice,' in which Shylock is a Jewish character representing stereotypes of greed wielded against Jewish people. In the play, Shylock is an unscrupulous moneylender who demands a pound of flesh from a debtor, painting the Jewish character as villainous and money-hungry.
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