CHICAGO — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) departed from his usual stump speech Tuesday evening to talk about his personal stakes in the election as the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American history by accusing former President Trump of peddling “antisemitic stereotypes.”
“Let me close on a personal note. As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American history, I want my grandkids — and all grandkids — to never, never face discrimination because of who they are. But Donald Trump — this is a guy who peddles antisemitic stereotypes,” Schumer told the packed arena at the United Center during the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday.
Schumer then pointed out that Trump hosted Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes along with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in 2022.
The Washington Post reported at the time that Trump had a “long history of trafficking in antisemitic tropes.”
Trump criticized American Jews in 2022 for not appreciating his record of helping Israel.
“Wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of [Trump’s record on Israel] than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.,” Trump posted on Truth Social at the time.
Schumer said Tuesday that Trump’s “prejudice goes in all directions.”
“He fuels Islamophobia and issued a Muslim ban as president. Tonight, folks, I am wearing this blue square to stand up to antisemitism, to stand up to all hate,” he said, pointing to a blue lapel pin.
“Our children, our grandchildren — no matter their race or creed or gender or family — deserve better than Donald Trump’s American carnage,” Schumer continued.
Schumer also talked about his personal relationship with Harris, noting their work on neighborhood and school safety and “building an opportunity economy that gives everyone a shot at the American dream.”
Schumer earlier in the day told reporters about his previous efforts to get a rules waiver to allow Harris, California’s former attorney general, to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Then-Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was serving on the Judiciary panel at the time, and Senate rules don’t allow two senators from the same state to serve on a top-tier committee.
“She will lead America forward into a brighter future. But, she can’t do it alone. She needs a Democratic majority in the Senate,” he said, reiterating his bold prediction that Democrats could actually pick up Senate seats this election cycle.
“Two years ago, the naysayers said Senate Democrats stood no chance in the midterms. I told them: ‘Just you wait! We’re going to keep the Senate – and maybe pick up a seat.’ That’s exactly what happened.
“Well, I am telling all of you now: This year, we are going to hold the Senate again — and are poised to pick up seats,” he said.
