Trump/ Mark Robinson/ antisemitism/ Jewish voters/ North Carolina/ election 2024/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Donald Trump vowed to be the “best friend” to Jewish Americans during a speech Thursday, just hours after a report surfaced alleging his ally, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, made racist and antisemitic comments. Robinson, who is running for governor, faces criticism, but Trump’s campaign distanced itself from the controversy while maintaining focus on winning North Carolina.
“Trump Promises Jewish Support Quick Looks”:
- Donald Trump condemned antisemitism and promised to protect Jewish Americans in a Washington speech.
- Allegations emerged of racial and antisemitic comments made by his North Carolina ally, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.
- Robinson vowed to remain in the governor’s race despite the accusations.
- Trump did not address the Robinson controversy during his speeches to Jewish donors.
- Trump’s campaign called North Carolina critical to regaining the White House.
Trump Pledges to Be ‘Best Friend’ to Jewish Americans Amid Ally’s Antisemitism Scandal
Deep Look:
On Thursday, former President Donald Trump committed to being the “best friend” Jewish Americans have ever had in the White House during a speech in Washington, all while his ally, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, faced serious allegations of making racist and antisemitic remarks. The timing of the scandal comes at a pivotal moment for Trump as he seeks to consolidate support among Jewish voters and secure a key battleground state in his 2024 presidential campaign.
Robinson, who is running for governor of North Carolina and has been a rising figure within the Republican Party, came under fire following a CNN report detailing comments he allegedly made online, including referring to himself as a “black NAZI.” Robinson reportedly posted racial and sexual comments on a website, and in one instance, voiced a preference for Adolf Hitler over U.S. leadership. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Robinson has vowed to continue his campaign.
Trump, however, did not address the controversy directly in his Thursday speeches. Instead, his campaign released a statement focusing on the broader goal of reclaiming the White House, emphasizing North Carolina’s importance to his electoral strategy. The statement did not mention Robinson by name but reiterated Trump’s commitment to winning the battleground state.
While Trump remained silent on the specifics of the allegations against Robinson, the situation adds tension to his campaign, particularly in North Carolina, where Robinson is trailing his Democratic rival, Josh Stein, by about 10 points according to recent polling. With North Carolina playing a critical role in the upcoming election, Trump’s association with Robinson could become a liability. Republican strategist Paul Shumaker warned that Robinson’s candidacy may ultimately hurt Trump’s chances of winning the presidency, noting that the real concern is whether Robinson’s controversies will impact Trump’s campaign more than the governor’s race itself.
Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, highlighted the potential damage of the allegations by posting a photo of Trump and Robinson together, with the caption: “Donald Trump has a Mark Robinson problem.” Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, is also in a close race with Trump in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Republican Party has stood by Robinson, insisting that the lieutenant governor has categorically denied the allegations. They also accused Democrats of trying to smear him with personal attacks. Robinson, a prominent voice in conservative circles, has been closely aligned with Trump, frequently appearing with him at rallies and campaign events. Trump once described Robinson as “Martin Luther King on steroids,” praising his powerful public speaking ability.
Trump has a history of trying to make inroads with Black voters, and Robinson’s presence on the campaign trail has been part of that effort. Yet, Robinson’s controversial remarks, particularly those about Hitler, could undermine both his and Trump’s appeal in a state as critical as North Carolina.
Trump’s Outreach to Jewish Americans:
Amid the unfolding controversy, Trump addressed a group of Jewish donors and the Israeli-American Council on Thursday, reiterating his commitment to fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel. Speaking alongside Miriam Adelson, co-owner of the Dallas Mavericks and widow of billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, Trump promised that if re-elected, he would be a fierce advocate for Jewish Americans.
“My promise to Jewish Americans is this: With your vote, I will be your defender, your protector, and I will be the best friend Jewish Americans have ever had in the White House,” Trump said at the “Fighting Anti-Semitism in America” event in Washington. He followed up by declaring, “In all fairness, I already am.”
Trump’s administration had made several moves that were popular among Jewish voters and pro-Israel groups, including relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. These policies were long sought by advocates of Israel and solidified Trump’s appeal among pro-Israel voters.
However, Trump has faced significant criticism over his associations with individuals known for espousing antisemitic rhetoric, such as far-right activist Nick Fuentes and rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Additionally, when former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke endorsed Trump in 2016, Trump initially claimed ignorance, stating he knew “nothing about David Duke” or white supremacists in a CNN interview at the time.
During his Thursday address, Trump took aim at Harris for what he called the Biden administration’s inadequate response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. He also denounced antisemitic protests occurring on college campuses, which have drawn widespread attention.
“Kamala Harris has done absolutely nothing. She has not lifted a single finger to protect you or to protect your children,” Trump said. He went further, reiterating a point he has made before: that Jewish voters who support Democrats “should have their head examined.”
Attendees at the event, when asked about the Robinson allegations, either declined to comment or said they were unfamiliar with the story. Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, when approached for comment, refused to take questions on the subject.
Later in the day, Trump addressed the Israeli-American Council National Summit, honoring the victims of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In his remarks, Trump painted a bleak picture of Israel’s future if Harris were to be elected, claiming that “Israel will not exist within two years if she becomes president.” He also warned the audience that a Harris victory would be detrimental to Jewish Americans, remarking that “the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that” if she won.
Challenges for Harris Amid Calls for Ceasefire:
While Trump navigated the Robinson controversy and worked to strengthen ties with Jewish voters, Harris faced her own challenges. Progressive factions within the Democratic Party have criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with some calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.
The group “Uncommitted,” which has drawn hundreds of thousands of votes in this year’s Democratic primaries, announced Thursday that they would not endorse Harris for president. Despite this, they urged voters to oppose Trump in the general election. Harris’ campaign responded with a statement reaffirming her commitment to ending the conflict in a way that ensures Israel’s security while addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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