Today, Donald Trump appeared at a joint press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the questions segment, Trump was asked about the perception that his administration has enabled a wave of anti-Semitic sentiment across the country. Here is the full text of his answer:
Well, I just want to say that we are, you know, very honored by the victory that we had. 306 electoral college votes. We were not supposed to crack 220. You know that, right? There was no way to 221 but then they said there’s no way to 270. And there’s tremendous enthusiasm out there. I will say that we are going to have peace in this country. We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything within our power to stop long simmering racism and every other thing that’s going on. Because a lot of bad things have been taking place over a long period of time. I think one of the reasons I won the election is because we have a very, very divided nation. Very divided and hopefully, I’ll be able to do something about that. And I—you know, something that was very important to me.
As far as people… Jewish people—so many friends, a daughter who happens to be here right now. A son-in-law, and… three beautiful grandchildren. I think that you’re going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening and you’re going to see a lot of love. You’re going to see a lot of love. Okay? Thank you.
Recently, a statement issued by the White House on Holocaust Remembrance Day notably failed to mention the Jews.
Watch a clip of the interaction below.
Trump is asked about sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the US
He starts his answer by talking about his electoral college victory pic.twitter.com/8NFq8B28md
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 15, 2017
