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Trump faces backlash for antisemitic term ‘Shylock' in speech
Trump faces backlash for antisemitic term ‘Shylock' in speech

Canada News.Net

time08-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Canada News.Net

Trump faces backlash for antisemitic term ‘Shylock' in speech

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term "shylock" is regarded as antisemitic when he used it in a speech to characterize unscrupulous moneylenders. Speaking to reporters on June 4 after returning from an event in Iowa, Trump stated he had "never heard it that way" and was oblivious to the term being deemed an offensive stereotype about Jews. The term "Shylock" originates from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," where it describes a villainous Jewish moneylender who demands a pound of flesh from a debtor. The Anti-Defamation League, which fights against antisemitism, condemned Trump's usage of the term, saying it "evokes a centuries-old antisemitic trope about Jews and greed that is extremely offensive and dangerous." They labeled the president's choice of words as very troubling and irresponsible. In contrast, Joe Biden, while serving as vice president, acknowledged in 2014 that his use of the term during remarks to a legal aid group was a "poor choice" of words. Although Trump's administration has made addressing antisemitism a priority—implementing measures to screen for antisemitic activity when granting immigration benefits and engaging in legal battles with Harvard University over allegations of tolerating antisemitism—the president has a history of perpetuating stereotypes about Jewish individuals. Notably, in 2015, he remarked to the Republican Jewish Coalition that "you want to control your politicians," insinuating that the audience wielded influence through financial means. Before launching his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump faced significant backlash for dining with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist at his Florida club. Last year, he made controversial comments accusing Jewish Americans who identify as Democrats of disloyalty due to the criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from Democratic leaders. Critics argued that this perpetuated antisemitic narratives about divided loyalties among Jews. In his speech in Iowa on July 3, Trump used the term while referencing his signature legislation that Congress had just passed. He remarked, "No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing some from, in some cases, a fine banker and in some cases shylocks and bad people." When questioned later about the term's antisemitic connotations and his intentions, Trump replied, "No, I've never heard it that way. To me, a shylock is somebody that's a money lender at high rates. I've never heard it that way. You view it differently from me. I've never heard that." The Anti-Defamation League emphasized that Trump's use of the term highlights the persistent lies and conspiracies regarding Jews in the country, stating, "Words from our leaders matter, and we expect more from the President of the United States."

Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders
Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders

Glasgow Times

time05-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Glasgow Times

Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders

Mr Trump told reporters early on Friday after returning from an event in Iowa that he had 'never heard it that way' and 'never heard that' the term was considered an offensive stereotype about Jews. Shylock refers to the villainous Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice who demands a pound of flesh from a debtor. The Anti-Defamation League, which works to combat antisemitism, said in a statement that the term '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'. Democrat Joe Biden, while vice president, said in 2014 that he had made a 'poor choice' of words a day after he used the term in remarks to a legal aid group. Mr Trump's administration has said cracking down on antisemitism is a priority. His administration said it is screening for antisemitic activity when granting immigration benefits and its fight with Harvard University has centred on allegations from the White House that the school has tolerated antisemitism. But the Republican president has also had a history of playing on stereotypes about Jewish people. He told the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 that 'you want to control your politicians' and suggested the audience used money to exert control. Before he kicked off his 2024 presidential campaign, Mr Trump drew widespread criticism for dining at his Florida club with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist. Last year, he made repeated comments accusing Jewish Americans who identify as Democrats of disloyalty because of the Democratic leaders' criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics said it perpetuated an antisemitic trope about Jews having divided loyalties and there being only one right way to be Jewish. On Thursday night in his speech in Iowa, Mr Trump used the term while talking about his signature legislation that was passed by Congress earlier in the day. 'No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing some from, in some cases, a fine banker and in some cases shylocks and bad people,' he said. When a reporter later asked about the word's antisemitic association and his intent, Mr Trump said; 'No, I've never heard it that way. To me, a shylock is somebody that's a money lender at high rates. I've never heard it that way. You view it differently than me. I've never heard that.' The Anti-Defamation League said Mr Trump's use of the word 'underscores how lies and conspiracies about Jews remain deeply entrenched in our country. Words from our leaders matter and we expect more from the President of the United States'.

Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders
Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders

South Wales Guardian

time04-07-2025

  • Politics
  • South Wales Guardian

Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders

Mr Trump told reporters early on Friday after returning from an event in Iowa that he had 'never heard it that way' and 'never heard that' the term was considered an offensive stereotype about Jews. Shylock refers to the villainous Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice who demands a pound of flesh from a debtor. The Anti-Defamation League, which works to combat antisemitism, said in a statement that the term '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'. Democrat Joe Biden, while vice president, said in 2014 that he had made a 'poor choice' of words a day after he used the term in remarks to a legal aid group. Mr Trump's administration has said cracking down on antisemitism is a priority. His administration said it is screening for antisemitic activity when granting immigration benefits and its fight with Harvard University has centred on allegations from the White House that the school has tolerated antisemitism. But the Republican president has also had a history of playing on stereotypes about Jewish people. He told the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 that 'you want to control your politicians' and suggested the audience used money to exert control. Before he kicked off his 2024 presidential campaign, Mr Trump drew widespread criticism for dining at his Florida club with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist. Last year, he made repeated comments accusing Jewish Americans who identify as Democrats of disloyalty because of the Democratic leaders' criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics said it perpetuated an antisemitic trope about Jews having divided loyalties and there being only one right way to be Jewish. On Thursday night in his speech in Iowa, Mr Trump used the term while talking about his signature legislation that was passed by Congress earlier in the day. 'No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing some from, in some cases, a fine banker and in some cases shylocks and bad people,' he said. When a reporter later asked about the word's antisemitic association and his intent, Mr Trump said; 'No, I've never heard it that way. To me, a shylock is somebody that's a money lender at high rates. I've never heard it that way. You view it differently than me. I've never heard that.' The Anti-Defamation League said Mr Trump's use of the word 'underscores how lies and conspiracies about Jews remain deeply entrenched in our country. Words from our leaders matter and we expect more from the President of the United States'.

Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders
Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders

Rhyl Journal

time04-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Rhyl Journal

Trump criticised for using antisemitic term to describe money lenders

Mr Trump told reporters early on Friday after returning from an event in Iowa that he had 'never heard it that way' and 'never heard that' the term was considered an offensive stereotype about Jews. Shylock refers to the villainous Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice who demands a pound of flesh from a debtor. The Anti-Defamation League, which works to combat antisemitism, said in a statement that the term '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'. Democrat Joe Biden, while vice president, said in 2014 that he had made a 'poor choice' of words a day after he used the term in remarks to a legal aid group. Mr Trump's administration has said cracking down on antisemitism is a priority. His administration said it is screening for antisemitic activity when granting immigration benefits and its fight with Harvard University has centred on allegations from the White House that the school has tolerated antisemitism. But the Republican president has also had a history of playing on stereotypes about Jewish people. He told the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 that 'you want to control your politicians' and suggested the audience used money to exert control. Before he kicked off his 2024 presidential campaign, Mr Trump drew widespread criticism for dining at his Florida club with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist. Last year, he made repeated comments accusing Jewish Americans who identify as Democrats of disloyalty because of the Democratic leaders' criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics said it perpetuated an antisemitic trope about Jews having divided loyalties and there being only one right way to be Jewish. On Thursday night in his speech in Iowa, Mr Trump used the term while talking about his signature legislation that was passed by Congress earlier in the day. 'No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing some from, in some cases, a fine banker and in some cases shylocks and bad people,' he said. When a reporter later asked about the word's antisemitic association and his intent, Mr Trump said; 'No, I've never heard it that way. To me, a shylock is somebody that's a money lender at high rates. I've never heard it that way. You view it differently than me. I've never heard that.' The Anti-Defamation League said Mr Trump's use of the word 'underscores how lies and conspiracies about Jews remain deeply entrenched in our country. Words from our leaders matter and we expect more from the President of the United States'.

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