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President Donald Trump defended the use of the term “shylock” at this week’s rally, saying he is unaware that it is not considered anti-Semitic by some.
Trump used the term in his speech in Iowa on Thursday.
Shylock is the name of a villain Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare’s “Venice Merchant” who demands pounds of meat from his debtor.
President Donald Trump speaks to a journalist arriving at a joint base in Andrews, Maryland on early July 4, 2025. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP) (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)
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Over time, the name became more widely used to refer to loan sharks or greedy moneylenders. Today, it can be considered an anti-Semitic slur, especially when used in reference to Jews.
“No death tax or real estate tax is going to the bank and not borrowing from bankers or, in some cases, from shylock or bad people,” Trump said he is referring to the abolition of the bill’s real estate tax and abolishing the borrowing burden.
The term did not induce a response from the crowd, but his remarks were quickly blown away online, and he used it to defend him when reporters said it was widely considered an anti-chemical phrase.
“No, I’ve never heard of it that way,” Trump replied. “To me, Shylock is a money lender for a high price. I’ve never heard of it like that. You see it differently than me. I’ve never heard of it.”
The Anti-Defamous League (ADL), who works to fight anti-Semitism, said the term evoked “centuries-old plunder of anti-Semitism on highly aggressive and dangerous Jews and greed.”
President Donald Trump will speak at the 250 kickoff event in the US held in Iowa State Park on July 3, 2025. (Getty Images)
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“President Trump’s use of terminology is very troublesome and irresponsible,” ADL wrote in a statement Friday. “It emphasizes that lies and conspiracies about Jews remain deeply rooted in our country. The words from our leaders are important and we look forward to more from the President of the United States.”
Jewish Rep. Jerry Nadler used the term to agree and torn Trump apart.
“The term “shylock” is one of the most famous anti-Semitic sluries in the English language,” Nadler wrote to X:
Nadler went on to say that Trump used the rise of anti-Semitism to restrain free speech and that he was not serious about addressing the issue.
Conservative political commentator John Podretz, also a Jew, shot back at Nadler.
“I condemn you for your support of the anti-Semitic mayoral candidate you made because you are a usillimp coward,” writes Podhoretz. “Trump said Shylock the same week that he destroyed Iran’s nuclear program. What did he do for the Jews, Jerry?”
Rep. Jerry Nadler, a Jew, criticized Trump for using the term. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
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Trump tackled anti-Semitism, particularly through university campuses and immigration enforcement, creating the top priority of his campaign. He signed an executive order in January, requiring that all federal agencies identify and apply tools to address anti-Semitic harassment and violence in higher education. His administration also launched investigations of universities, including Harvard, Columbia and Berkeley, California over anti-Semitism allegations, and threatened to withdraw federal funds if action fails.
His daughter Ivanka converted to Orthodox Judaism in 2009 and married Jared Kushner, who is also a Jew.
Democrat Joe Biden said in 2014 that he made a “poor choice” of words the day after he used the term in his remarks to a legal aid group.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can submit tips to Michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
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