Trump promotes claim that he is ‘King of Israel’ as Jewish people tweet #DisloyalToTrump
Donald Trump on Wednesday tweeted a quote from a right-wing conspiracy theorist who called him "the King of Israel."
“President Trump is the greatest President for Jews and for Israel in the history of the world… Jewish people in Israel love him... ...like he’s the King of Israel” Trump quoted Newsmax TV host Wayne Allyn Root saying on Newsmax.
“He keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s good for all of us. Good for Jews, good for blacks, good for gays. Good for everyone in America who wants a job,” Root said, also noting that "I happen to be Jewish by birth."
The president thanked Root for his comments in a tweet just a day after telling reporters that Jewish people who vote for Democrats are disloyal.
“Thank you to Wayne Allyn Root for the very nice words. “President Trump is the greatest President for Jews and for Israel in the history of the world, not just America, he is the best President for Israel in the history of the world...and the Jewish people in Israel love him....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2019
Decrying the Democratic Party, Trump said on Tuesday “Where have they gone, where they’re defending these two people over the state of Israel? And I think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat, I think it shows either a total lack of knowledge, or great disloyalty.”
Trump’s remarks angered many Jewish people, who have voted for Democrats about 70% of the time in the last two election cycles.
More: Trump: Jews voting for Democrats show 'great disloyalty'
Thousands began using the hashtag #DisloyalToTrump, which trended on Twitter alongside #KingofIsrael.
I'm Jewish. I'm an American & served our country in the CIA. I love musical theater, "as seen on TV" products and carbs. Oh and I'm super duper one gazillion percent #DisloyalToTrump!
— Emily Brandwin (@CIAspygirl) August 21, 2019
I’m an American Jew and an American patriot, and I’m proudly disloyal to Trump. #DisloyalToTrump
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) August 21, 2019
This may come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but this proud Jew is 100%, unequivocally #DisloyalToTrump
— andy lassner (@andylassner) August 21, 2019
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Jewish Democratic primary candidate, tweeted Tuesday evening in response to Trump's comments "I am a proud Jewish man and I have no concerns about voting Democratic."
He continued, "And in fact, I intend to vote for a Jewish man to become the next president of the United States."
My message to Trump: I am a proud Jewish person and I have no concerns about voting Democratic. pic.twitter.com/vNEQfRnb5f
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 21, 2019
Last week Trump made headlines for encouraging Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bar two Democratic congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, from visiting the West Bank.
Israel did bar the freshman representatives in response to their vocal criticism of the state's occupation of Palestine. Tlaib was later permitted to enter to visit her grandmother who still lives in the West Bank but she ultimately decided not to go in protest.
The popular vote was #DisloyalToTrump
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) August 21, 2019
More: 'A page out of Trump's book': After blocked visit, Tlaib gets emotional as Omar blasts Israel
Contributing: Savannah Behrmann
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: #DisloyaltoTrump trends, Trump tweets quote he is 'King of Israel'