Former President Trump and Ye, the actor formerly known as Kanye West, have made antisemitic comments on social media recently, which have “shattered” a general feeling of safety among U.S. Jews, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Oren Segal.
“Jews generally feel safe in the United States despite the rise in antisemitism online and on the ground. There have been worse places even in the world today,” said Segal, who serves as vice president of the ADL’s Center on Extremism.
“That feeling of safety is shattered when one of the more popular entertainers and a former president share antisemitic conspiracies to billions of people around the world.”
Both Trump and Ye have come under fire this month for posting comments on multiple social media platforms that perpetuate antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories about Jewish people and power, money and control.
Ye doubled down on his antisemitic remarks during a Monday interview on NewsNation’s “Cuomo” hosted by former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
On “Cuomo,” Ye referred to a “Jewish underground media mafia“ and complained about “privilege” that Jewish people have in the entertainment industry and media.
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Any antisemitic comment is concerning, said Segal, but there is a difference when a fringe extremist group tries to spread antisemitism versus when a popular mainstream public figure does so.
“These people have people that look up to them in ways that fringe antisemites just don’t,” said Segal. “So, in a time where the normalization of antisemitism is a concern, in part because it can lead to other actions and even violent actions, the higher the profile, the greater the following that people have when they’re spreading antisemitism, I think that directly impacts the danger that Jews feel that they can be in.”
This is why it is so important for others, especially public figures, to speak out against antisemitism and say, “this is wrong, this is false, this is harmful,” Segal added.
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Trump, West comments "shatter" feelings of safety for Jewish people in U.S. https://t.co/77ZwTLJf6P pic.twitter.com/2PZLoKr6bM
— The Hill (@thehill) October 21, 2022
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