Vice President JD Vance resurrected one of President Trump’s familiar
quips concerning a “Palestinian” congress member on Thursday, poking fun at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) regarding the ongoing government shutdown and Middle East negotiations.
“The reason we’re here today is that the president has set a new direction with a different team,” Vance noted, making mention of special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
“Naturally, the president of the United States, a New York real estate tycoon renowned globally, has extensive interactions with many individuals who are staunchly pro-Israel,” the vice president remarked.
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“He also happened to know one of the most notable Palestinians worldwide, Chuck Schumer,” Vance jested.
“A person like JD Vance should be more cautious with his phrasing,” Schumer rebutted in a statement. “Nevertheless, I’m here, ready to negotiate for Americans’ healthcare and to reopen the government that the Republicans shut down.”
While Schumer frequently emphasizes his position as the highest-ranking Jewish official in Congress, Trump labeled him “a Palestinian” during the 2024 campaign, alleging that the Brooklyn Democrat had not been sufficiently supportive of Israel.
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Trump also used the term regarding his former opponent, Joe Biden.
“In terms of Israel and Hamas, Israel is the party willing to move forward — he claimed that the only group wanting to continue conflict is Hamas. In reality, Israel is ready. They should be allowed to proceed and conclude things,” Trump stated during his debate with the Democratic incumbent on June 27, 2024.
“He doesn’t wish to engage. He has become akin to a Palestinian. But they don’t favor him, as he is an inadequate Palestinian. A weak one,” he added.
The former and possibly future president continued targeting Schumer similarly after the Senate Democratic leader called for the ousting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the ongoing conflict against Hamas.
“Look at someone like Sen. Schumer… I hail from New York, I know Schumer well,” Trump expressed to supporters at a Virginia campaign rally, the day subsequent to the Biden debate.
“He’s become a Palestinian. He identifies as a Palestinian now. Bravo!” he continued. “He used to be loyal to Israel and the Jewish community. He is Jewish. However, he’s now become a Palestinian for what? A few more votes?”
Back in March of this year, Trump reiterated in a press meeting in the Oval Office that “Schumer is a Palestinian, in my view.”
“He has morphed into a Palestinian. He once was Jewish. Now, he’s no longer Jewish. He is a Palestinian,” the president reacted.
Nonetheless, Schumer heightened his defense of Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities—going so far as to visit the country and return with lists of requested arms, vowing to assist in providing “anything they require.”
