Overview

• At a July 3 rally in Des Moines, President Trump described some bankers as “Shylocks and bad people” while celebrating his signature tax-and-spending bill.
• Trump told reporters on July 4 that he “never heard” the term’s antisemitic connotations and defined Shylocks simply as high-rate moneylenders.
• The Anti-Defamation League called his remark “very troubling and irresponsible,” warning it evokes a dangerous stereotype of Jews and greed.
• Jewish leaders and elected officials, including Rep. Dan Goldman and Amy Spitalnick, condemned the comment as blatant and vile antisemitism.
• The incident precedes Trump’s scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising questions about his awareness of antisemitic language.