Trump unexpectedly shows affection for Jewish American voters
Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, expressed dissatisfaction with the support he's received from Jewish-American voters. If he fails to secure victory in the November election, Trump declared that Jewish US citizens will have some explaining to do, stating this during a speech at the Israeli-American Council (IAC) in Washington. He pointed out a poll showing that 60% of this demographic were backing Democrat Kamala Harris. Trump warned his audience that Israel might cease to exist within two years if Harris obtains the presidency, and Jewish voters would share some blame for their decision to predominantly vote for Democrats.
However, it was not specified which poll Trump was referring to. A recent survey conducted by Pew Research Center revealed that Harris receives 65% support from Jewish voters in the US, while Trump only garners 34% of their votes.
A Tight Competition
Given his unpopularity among Jewish-American voters is hardly a surprise. Previously, Trump has faced criticism for collaborating with individuals who have propagated antisemitic rhetoric, such as far-right activist Nick Fuentes and rapper Kanye West. Back when the ex-KKK leader David Duke expressed his support for Trump in 2016, Trump replied that he was unaware of Duke and had no knowledge of white supremacists.
During his term in office, Trump executed a series of political alterations sought after by numerous Israel supporters. These include relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, officially acknowledging the Golan Heights as territory under Israeli jurisdiction, and terminating the Iran nuclear deal brokered by Barack Obama.
Despite questionable support from Jewish voters, polls show that the candidates are evenly matched. Every vote could prove crucial in November. Jewish voters have historically voted in favor of Democrats in significant numbers in recent presidential elections. However, considering the tight race expected this year, even a few votes could tip the scales in either direction. To this end, the Trump campaign has concentrated on courting Jewish voters in key battleground states.
I'm not going to blame Jewish voters if Trump loses the election, as it's clear that Pew Research Center's poll shows a majority of them supporting Kamala Harris. It's unfortunate that despite Trump's efforts to win Jewish support, such as moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, his approval rates remain low among this demographic.
