In ‘Fighting Anti-Semitism’, Trump Says Jewish Voters Will Be ‘A Lot to Blame’ If He Loses

WASHINGTON — In remarks ostensibly focused on combating anti-Semitism, former President Donald Trump questioned why he is not getting enough support from Jewish voters, suggesting they would have “a lot to do” with his defeat in November if their support for his campaign does not grow.

“I’m not going to call this a prediction, but I think the Jews would have a lot to do with the loss if I’m at 40 percent,” Trump said at a campaign event titled “Fighting antisemitism in America,” referring to an unnamed poll he said showed him two-fifths of Jewish voters.

Trump spent a significant portion of his speech telling the audience what his administration accomplished on behalf of Israelis — including recognizing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal, and moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

He complained that despite the milestones he presented on behalf of the Jews, he had not seen any increase in Jewish voter support. Trump went on to say that Jewish voters have not “treated him right” and, despite being “the most popular person in Israel,” complained that their support “doesn’t translate” in the U.S.

“You can’t let this happen. 40 percent is not acceptable because we have an election to win,” Trump said, blaming the lack of support on the “Democrat grip or curse” of Jewish voters.

During his speech, he also appealed directly to Jewish voters and criticized the university protest movement against Israel’s handling of the war with Hamas.

“My first week in the Oval Office, my administration will notify every college president that if you don’t stop anti-Semitic propaganda, they will lose their accreditation and their federal tax credit,” he said.

Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the former president’s comments.

At a separate event in the capital on Thursday night, he warned Jewish voters of their support in the election.

“If I don’t win this election — and the Jews would have a lot to do with it if that happens, because at 40%, that means 60% of the people are voting for the enemy — Israel, the opinion will cease to exist within two years,” Trump said at another event, At the Israel-American Council National Summit.

As Trump continues to woo Jewish voters ahead of November’s general election, he has continued to publicly attack high-profile Jewish leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

As he did in his remarks Thursday night, Trump has described Schumer as “like a Palestinian” and last month on his social media account, Truth Social, described Shapiro as “a very overrated Jewish governor.”

With Trump out of office but ramping up on the campaign trail, his outward appeal to Jewish voters has also included extensive praise for and praise of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including hosting him at Mar-a-Lago in Florida of late. July.

Trump’s comments Thursday echoed his years of frustration with the lack of support for him from Jewish voters (they have historically leaned Democratic, according to the Pew Research Center.) As president, he said Jews who vote Democratic show “either a complete lack of knowledge or a great deal of disloyalty,” and two weeks before midterms in 2022, he posted on social media: “American Jews need to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel – before it’s too late!”

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com