Mohan Sinha
08 Jul 2025, 08:47 GMT+10
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term "shylock" is regarded as antisemitic when he used it in a speech to characterize unscrupulous moneylenders.
Speaking to reporters on June 4 after returning from an event in Iowa, Trump stated he had "never heard it that way" and was oblivious to the term being deemed an offensive stereotype about Jews.
The term "Shylock" originates from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," where it describes a villainous Jewish moneylender who demands a pound of flesh from a debtor.
The Anti-Defamation League, which fights against antisemitism, condemned Trump's usage of the term, saying it "evokes a centuries-old antisemitic trope about Jews and greed that is extremely offensive and dangerous." They labeled the president's choice of words as very troubling and irresponsible.
In contrast, Joe Biden, while serving as vice president, acknowledged in 2014 that his use of the term during remarks to a legal aid group was a "poor choice" of words.
Although Trump's administration has made addressing antisemitism a priority—implementing measures to screen for antisemitic activity when granting immigration benefits and engaging in legal battles with Harvard University over allegations of tolerating antisemitism—the president has a history of perpetuating stereotypes about Jewish individuals.
Notably, in 2015, he remarked to the Republican Jewish Coalition that "you want to control your politicians," insinuating that the audience wielded influence through financial means.
Before launching his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump faced significant backlash for dining with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist at his Florida club.
Last year, he made controversial comments accusing Jewish Americans who identify as Democrats of disloyalty due to the criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from Democratic leaders. Critics argued that this perpetuated antisemitic narratives about divided loyalties among Jews.
In his speech in Iowa on July 3, Trump used the term while referencing his signature legislation that Congress had just passed. He remarked, "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."
When questioned later about the term's antisemitic connotations and his intentions, Trump replied, "No, 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 it that way. You view it differently from me. I've never heard that."
The Anti-Defamation League emphasized that Trump's use of the term highlights the persistent lies and conspiracies regarding Jews in the country, stating, "Words from our leaders matter, and we expect more from the President of the United States."
Get a daily dose of Tennis Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Tennis Times.
More InformationMADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
New Delhi [India], July 8 (ANI): The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), has revealed the India squads for upcoming international...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 8 (ANI): On a recent episode of The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show, cricketer Abhishek Sharma opened...
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 8 (ANI): The stage is set for a thrilling week of cricketing action as the LEGEN-Z T10 League will...
(Photo credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images) The Boston Red Sox are facing a light portion of their schedule and taking advantage...
New Delhi [India], July 8, 2025: Purani Dilli 6, the semi-finalist of the 2024 edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), have made...
NEW DELHI, India: Birkenstock is stepping up its efforts to protect its iconic sandals in India, as local legal representatives conducted...
Dhamtari (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 8 (ANI): The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra...
Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 8 (ANI): Two students lost their lives and three others, including two children and the driver,...
Texas [US], July 8 (ANI): More than 100 people have lost their lives due to catastrophic flooding across central Texas in the US, with...
Chandigarh [India], July 8 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday shared information on various schemes started...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 8 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal held a public grievance meeting in his Mumbai North Lok Sabha...