Antisemitism Has No Place in the White House
This edition tackles antisemitism in politics and condemns recent comments about Sen. Chuck Schumer.
There is no place for the comments made about Senator Chuck Schumer in the White House on Wednesday. The fact that not a single elected Jewish Republican has called it out—according to The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell—is both reprehensible and infuriating.
Here’s what the convicted felon said about Sen. Schumer during his meeting with Irish leader Micheál Martin:
“And Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned. You know, he’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian.”
Nothing about this rhetoric is okay. Much like Hitler, he doesn’t get to decide who is and isn’t Jewish. He’s not Jewish and he’s certainly not a rabbi. The other thing here is that he’s continuing to use Palestinian as a slur.
The MSNBC commentator started his show with a commentary that lasted just over 19 minutes. If you missed it last night, you can watch it on Peacock (for a limited time, I believe) or watch the commentary in full on YouTube.
We are only 52 days—it feels like longer—into what is going to be a very dark stretch of America’s history. We have the most antisemitic president since Richard Nixon was elected to two terms. What’s worse? When the convicted felon made his comments, not a single member of the White House press pool had the guts to call him out. Not a single one was willing to say that his comments about Sen. Schumer were antisemitic.
Frankly, I’m exhausted after 52 days. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I can only write so much about the tariff situation.
Much like left-wing antisemitism, right-wing antisemitism doesn’t get a free pass. Unless it’s coming from Candace Owens, you’d have thought right-wing antisemitism didn’t exist if you scrolled through right-wing Jewish social media accounts. It’s one of the most troubling factors of the executive orders relating to combatting antisemitism. It only targets leftist antisemitism rather than right-wing. It doesn’t go after people in his admin that have used neo-Nazi talking points. It doesn’t go after anyone that he pardoned for their actions on January 6. It doesn’t go after him—despite the fact that he’s made no shortage of antisemitic comments through the years.
I have a few books to review over the next few days, including The Jews: 5000 Years and Counting by Rob Kutner. The Emmy-winning comedy writer’s new book is now available wherever books are sold.
To my Jewish readers, have an easy and meaningful fast on this Taanit Ester. Chag sameach.