'The Democrats hate Israel': Trump slams Kamala, Dems at New Jersey fundraiser

On Sunday night during a private fundraiser on the Jersey Shore, former President Donald Trump told the group made up of many observant Jews, “The Democrats hate Israel.” The comments from Trump come as he just met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

The Republican told the pro-Israel crowd in Deal, New Jersey, "The Democrats hate Israel. The Democrats largely hate the Jewish people. It's time for the Jewish people to step up and vote for the Republicans and for Donald Trump, and we're gonna save Israel.” Raucous cheers from the audience followed.

Trump also slammed Vice President Kamala Harris. He said of the Democratic nominee, “Let me give you the bad news. She hates Israel,” which drew boos from the crowd of Republicans and Israel supporters.

Trump then pivoted to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Trump said that Schumer, who is Jewish, has “become a Palestinian." The Jewish community has criticized Schumer for calling for Israelis to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The former president asked, “How about Schumer?” which received more jeers from the crowd. Trump added, “I gave him his first political contribution many years ago in my Brooklyn office. He was from Brooklyn and he was running for the assembly.”

"I was the first person, he used to brag about it … I gave him a 500 contribution check…that was a big contribution at the time. That was like a lot of money ... He's become a Palestinian! What happened to this guy?," the GOP nominee added. 

Since the massacre of over 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, many Democratic Jews have shifted to the Republican party as progressives on the left have supported the Palestinians and anti-Israel activists on college campuses.