President Donald Trump declared that Senator Chuck Schumer—the first Jewish majority leader of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American history—is “no longer Jewish.”
The remarks, made during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Oval Office, have drawn widespread condemnation from Jewish leaders, civil rights organizations, and political figures across the spectrum.
Trump’s comments, which he delivered with his trademark disregard for decency, were part of a broader attack on Schumer’s criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Schumer is a Palestinian, as far as I’m concerned. He’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian,” said Trump, using the term “Palestinian” as if it were a slur.
Trump’s remarks have been widely interpreted as an attempt to weaponize Jewish identity for political gain, while simultaneously demeaning Palestinians.
Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, condemned the comments, stating, “This is an extreme agenda that undercuts democracy—and it only makes Jews less safe.”
Spitalnick accused Trump of exploiting antisemitism to attack his political opponents, a tactic that has become all too familiar during his political career.
Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), also slammed Trump’s use of “Palestinian” as an insult.
“President Trump’s use of the term ‘Palestinian’ as a racial slur is offensive and beneath the dignity of his office,” Awad said. “He should apologize to the Palestinian and American people. This kind of dehumanization has resulted in horrific hate crimes against Palestinian-Americans and decades of denial of Palestinian human rights.”
“This is not just an attack on Senator Schumer—it’s an attack on the Jewish community, the Palestinian community, and the values of respect and dignity that should define America’s political discourse,” said anti-establishment progressive Lisa McCormick, who challenged disgraced former US Senator Bob Menendez in the Democratic primary election.
Schumer, a proud descendant of Holocaust survivors, has long been a vocal advocate for Jewish causes and a staunch supporter of Israel.
In a powerful Senate speech earlier this year, Schumer reflected on his heritage, saying, “I am the son of an exterminator and a housewife, a descendant of victims of the Holocaust. That I should be the leader of this new Senate majority is an awesome responsibility.”
Schumer’s criticism of Netanyahu’s policies—particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks—has been rooted in his concern for Israel’s long-term security and democratic values. Yet, Trump’s remarks sought to erase Schumer’s Jewish identity entirely, reducing it to a political weapon in a deeply polarized environment.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted Schumer with inflammatory rhetoric and lies.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly called Schumer a “proud member of Hamas,” a blatantly false and incendiary claim.
Such comments have been widely condemned as antisemitic dog whistles, designed to stoke division and undermine Schumer’s credibility as a Jewish leader.
Journalist Julia Ioffe highlighted the absurdity of Trump’s remarks on social media, writing, “A non-Jew determining who is and is not a good enough Jew is peak chutzpah.”
Her comment underscores the broader issue of non-Jewish figures attempting to define Jewish identity for political purposes.
Trump’s comments come at a time of rising antisemitism and Islamophobia in the United States.
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), antisemitic incidents reached record highs in 2023, while hate crimes against Muslim and Palestinian communities have also surged. Trump’s rhetoric risks further inflaming these tensions, emboldening extremists and undermining efforts to foster unity and understanding.
Senator Schumer, who is set to release a memoir titled Antisemitism in America: A Warning, has been a leading voice in combating hate and bigotry. His book, which delves into his family’s history and the future of Jewish life in America, is expected to address the very kind of divisive rhetoric that Trump has now amplified.
As condemnation of Trump’s remarks continues to grow, many are calling for accountability.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of using identity and religion as political tools. In a nation already deeply divided, Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric only deepens the wounds and undermines the possibility of meaningful dialogue.
For now, Schumer has not directly responded to Trump’s comments, choosing instead to focus on his legislative duties and his advocacy for Jewish causes. But one thing is clear: Trump’s remarks have crossed a line, and the backlash is a testament to the resilience of those who refuse to let hate define our politics.
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