The key facts
- Trump linked the rise of antisemitism in the US to Barack Obama's campaign
- He compared the current situation to Germany in 1938
- Trump said he is popular in Israel 'at 99%' and remains the most pro-Israel president
Trump's Statement on the Rise of Antisemitism
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that antisemitism in the United States 'started, I would say, during the campaign of Barack Hussein Obama.' Responding to a question about how concerned he is by the rise of antisemitism and what can be done about it, he said: 'I'm amazed to see this. I never expected anything like this. It's like Germany in 1938, or something like that. It's madness, what's happening.' According to him, it has continued since that time, and he finds it 'quite shocking.'
Assessment of Relations with Israel and Comments on the Elections
Asked whether his view of Israel had changed and whether he remains the most pro-Israel president in history, Trump replied: 'Well, I am.' He also said he does not understand the support given by Jewish American voters to Senator-elect from Michigan Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated the Republican Party candidate: 'It's even incomprehensible. It's a difficult group to win over.' Trump added that he is popular among Israelis: 'In Israel I'm at 99%... I'm the most popular person,' and called himself 'very favorably disposed toward Israel.' All of the quoted statements are the president's personal assessments, not confirmed polling data.
