Trump Says He Didn’t Know ‘Shylock’ Is Antisemitic After Iowa Speech/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump says he didn’t realize the term “shylock” is considered antisemitic after using it in a speech. The Anti-Defamation League condemned the term as a dangerous stereotype about Jews. Trump has previously faced criticism for rhetoric seen as invoking antisemitic tropes.
Trump Antisemitic Slur Quick Looks
- Trump used “shylock” while discussing financial matters in Iowa speech.
- “Shylock” references a Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare’s play, fueling antisemitic tropes.
- Trump claimed he didn’t know the term’s offensive meaning.
- Anti-Defamation League labeled his remark “troubling and irresponsible.”
- Trump previously criticized for comments suggesting Jewish political influence and loyalty issues.
- His administration has prioritized combating antisemitism, despite past controversies.
Deep Look
Trump Says He Didn’t Know “Shylock” Is Antisemitic After Iowa Speech Sparks Criticism
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump insisted Friday that he was unaware the term “shylock” is widely recognized as antisemitic, following backlash over his use of the word during a speech in Iowa the night before.
Speaking to reporters after returning from the event, Trump defended himself, saying, “I’ve never heard it that way. To me, a shylock is somebody that’s a money lender at high rates. I’ve never heard that.” He added, “You view it differently than me. I’ve never heard that.”
During his Thursday speech, Trump was touting recent legislation passed by Congress when he said: “No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing some from, in some cases, a fine banker and in some cases shylocks and bad people.”
The comment swiftly drew condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which described the term as rooted in deeply harmful stereotypes about Jewish people and financial greed.
“The term evokes a centuries-old antisemitic trope about Jews and greed that is extremely offensive and dangerous,” the ADL said in a statement. “President Trump’s use of the term is very troubling and irresponsible.”
The word “shylock” originates from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” in which the character Shylock is a Jewish moneylender portrayed as ruthless and demanding a pound of flesh as repayment for a debt—a depiction that has fueled antisemitic stereotypes for centuries.
Trump is not the first high-profile politician to face scrutiny over the word’s use. In 2014, then-Vice President Joe Biden apologized for what he admitted was a “poor choice” after he used “shylock” during remarks to a legal aid group.
Trump’s administration has publicly declared fighting antisemitism a policy priority, including monitoring antisemitic activity during immigration screenings and pursuing legal battles against institutions like Harvard University over alleged tolerance of antisemitism.
Yet Trump has faced repeated accusations of invoking antisemitic tropes throughout his political career.
In 2015, while addressing the Republican Jewish Coalition, he remarked, “you want to control your politicians” and suggested Jewish donors use financial influence to sway political decisions.
Before launching his 2024 presidential bid, Trump ignited controversy after dining at his Mar-a-Lago resort with a white nationalist known for denying the Holocaust.
Last year, Trump faced further backlash for suggesting Jewish Americans who vote for Democrats were disloyal, comments critics said perpetuate harmful narratives about Jews having dual loyalties and a singular political stance.
The ADL emphasized that rhetoric from leaders carries significant weight, stating Trump’s latest comment “underscores how lies and conspiracies about Jews remain deeply entrenched in our country. Words from our leaders matter, and we expect more from the President of the United States.”
Trump’s remarks come amid heightened political scrutiny as he navigates his re-election campaign while continuing to attract criticism over inflammatory language that some see as alienating key voting blocs.
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