Trump jokes about Jewish vote, says Israel backed him 99% while home support fell to 50%

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump took a lighthearted swipe at his support among Jewish voters during a White House Hanukkah celebration Tuesday night, December 16, joking that he was unanimously backed in Israel, but somehow came up short at home.

“I got the highest Jewish vote,” Trump told the crowd. “Now, have to say in Israel they say [I’m] at 99 percent, but over here I was like at fifty. It meant that 50% of people voted for Kamala. Is that even possible?”

Touching on Jewish history, Trump referenced past attempts to stamp out their traditions. “They suppressed Jewish worship and imposed foreign rules,” he said.

At one point, the President paused to check on someone in the audience. “Are you okay over there? Just want to make sure you’re ok. You’re OK. Good. I wanna make sure. You’re perfect,” Trump said, before continuing.

Trump warns Jewish influence in Washington is slipping

Much of Trump’s speech focused on his record with Israel, but at one point, he warned attendees that Israel’s standing in Washington has weakened over time. 

“I will always be a friend and a champion to the Jewish people,” Trump said. “If you go back 10, 12, 15 years ago, at the most, the strongest lobby in Washington was the Jewish Lobby. It was Israel. That’s no longer true.”

He issued a blunt warning about what he described as rising hostility toward Israel within Congress. “You have to be very careful. You have a Congress in particular, which is becoming antisemitic. You have AOC plus three; you have those people. Ilhan Omar, she hates Jewish people. And you have to be very careful, because there’s been a big change,” Trump claimed.

The audience was largely made up of Republican loyalists, though a handful of Democrats were present, including Rep Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.). Trump continued his criticism of lawmakers he believes are increasingly hostile toward Israel, particularly in the House.

“You have a lot of people in Congress that don’t like Israel,” he added. “They hate Israel … and obviously it’s getting progressively worse, less so in the Senate, but the Senate is starting also. You get glimmers when I’m in the back rooms talking to people.”

The President also slammed those who minimize the atrocities committed during Hamas’s Oct 7, 2023, massacre and condemned a deadly attack on a Jewish celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia, over the weekend. “Please be vigilant and careful,” Trump urged the crowd.

Trump jabs Biden before concluding remarks 

Trump noted that, unlike his other remarks at White House holiday events, he relied on prepared notes to make sure he highlighted his accomplishments related to Israel.

Of course, the notes didn’t keep him from going off-script.

“You know, when you fall, it’s not good for politics,” Trump said at one point, before appearing to reference former President Joe Biden. “We had a man that fell a lot. I don’t want to talk too much, because I’ll have my day, I’m sure.”

“They’re waiting, the press,” he added. “Oh, would they like to see Trump trip off the stage. I would never live it down.”

Trump wrapped up the evening by returning to the meaning of the holiday.

“The story of Hanukkah reminds us that light will always prevail over darkness and faith and triumph over fear,” he said.