Trump has sparked major backlash over this one word.
In a recent White House meeting, President Donald Trump made waves with his comments regarding Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), sparking backlash from Jewish and Muslim advocacy groups. Trump, during his discussion with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, took aim at Schumer and other Democratic lawmakers, criticizing their reactions to his March 6 address to a joint session of Congress.
In a highly controversial remark, Trump said, “Schumer’s a Palestinian as far as I see it. He is turning into a Palestinian. I thought he was Jewish. He isn’t not Jewish anymore. He is Palestinian.” The President’s choice of words immediately drew sharp criticism, particularly from civil rights organizations representing Muslim and Jewish communities.
Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), condemned Trump’s comments, stating that using “Palestinian” as a slur was offensive and beneath the dignity of the office. He also emphasized that such dehumanizing rhetoric contributes to violence against Palestinian-Americans and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling on the president to issue an apology. Awad pointed to the broader pattern of neglecting Palestinian human rights by previous U.S. administrations.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent organization focused on combating antisemitism, rejected Trump’s comment, stating that the president has no right to define someone’s Jewish identity. They also decried the use of “Palestinian” as an insult, calling it unworthy of a sitting president.
Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, expressed disappointment in Trump’s words, arguing that “Palestinian” should never be used as a slur. She also stressed that such comments further alienate Jewish voters from the Republican Party, pointing out Trump’s history of elevating extremist rhetoric, which she believes endangers American Jews.
This isn’t the first time Trump has publicly criticized Schumer for his stance on Israel. The former president has often used harsh language to describe Schumer’s views on the Middle East conflict, particularly when Schumer criticized Israel’s actions during the Gaza conflict.
As Schumer prepares to release his upcoming book, Antisemitism in America: A Warning, Trump’s remarks further deepen the political divide, showcasing how personal attacks have become a significant part of modern American politics. For many, the use of “Palestinian” as an insult is a troubling reflection of the divisive and hostile tone currently dominating the political landscape.