President Trump’s use of the nickname “Shylock” at a rally in Iowa the night before drew criticism from Jewish Democrats on Friday.
In a broad tirade on taxes, Mr. Trump stated Thursday that even though the majority of Americans are exempt from paying estate taxes, farmers shouldn’t have to turn to, in certain situations, Shylocks and evil individuals to borrow money. The amount that a couple had to pay in estate taxes in 2025 was $28 million.
When questioned about his comment after the rally, Mr. Trump claimed he had never heard the term was an antisemitic slur and instead believed it to be a reference to usury. The phrase actually originates from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, where a Jewish moneylender by the name of Shylock appears.
On social media, New York Democrat Representative Dan Goldman stated, “Trump knows exactly what he’s doing, and this is blatant and vile antisemitism.” As I do, anyone who is genuinely against antisemitism calls it out wherever it arises, on both extremes.
According to Mr. Trump, combating antisemitism is a top priority for his administration. His administration has revoked the visas of individuals who have taken part in pro-Palestinian protests, and he has reduced federal financing for colleges on the grounds that they are antisemitic strongholds.
Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. issued an apology in 2014 for using the term “Shylocks” in a speech.
However, a number of Mr. Trump’s detractors claim that he frequently uses antisemitic clichés and does not denounce antisemitism.
According to New York Democrat Representative Jerry Nadler, the term is among the most well-known antisemitic epithets in the English language.
Mr. Nadler posted on social media that today’s speech demonstrates that antisemitism in the Trump Administration is the norm rather than the exception and comes from the highest levels. Donald Trump might start with himself if he truly wanted to combat antisemitism.
The Jewish advocacy organization Anti-Defamation League also took issue with Mr. Trump’s usage of the term. The group wrote on social media that the term “Shylock” conjures up a dangerous and very offensive antisemitic stereotype about Jews and greed that dates back hundreds of years.
