Washington, D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump is once again at the center of a political storm — this time accused of blending Islamophobia with antisemitic conspiracy theories in a series of controversial public remarks that critics say are dangerously divisive.
During a campaign rally in Florida this week, Trump launched into a tirade against New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, referring to him as a “radical Muslim agitator” who “wants to dismantle our great American values from within.” Just days later, at a fundraiser in Texas, Trump pivoted to classic antisemitic rhetoric, suggesting that “globalist bankers” are “controlling the economy” and “pushing open borders.”
Targeting Mamdani: From Dog Whistles to Direct Attacks
Trump’s reference to Mamdani, a progressive Indian-American Muslim lawmaker known for his outspoken support of Palestinian rights, was seen as a calculated move to appeal to far-right voters. Calling Mamdani “dangerous,” Trump claimed he “sympathizes with terrorists” and “shouldn’t be anywhere near American legislation.”
Civil rights groups condemned the comments immediately. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) released a statement saying:
“Trump is once again using anti-Muslim bigotry as a political weapon. His remarks about Zohran Mamdani are baseless and incite hate.”
Mamdani himself responded with calm defiance, stating on social media:
“We expect these tactics. I will not be intimidated — not by Trump or anyone else who thinks fear will silence justice.”
Reviving Old Antisemitic Tropes About ‘Bankers’
In what many viewed as a rhetorical shift from Islamophobia to antisemitism, Trump’s comments in Texas appeared to echo long-standing antisemitic conspiracy theories. Speaking to a crowd of donors, he warned:
“The globalist bankers — you know the ones — they’re running things. They don’t care about Americans. They want open borders, cheap labor, and endless wars.”
Though Trump did not name specific individuals, critics pointed to the historic use of “globalist bankers” as a dog whistle referring to Jewish elites — a trope that has been used for over a century to justify discrimination and persecution.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) quickly issued a condemnation, saying:
“This language is textbook antisemitism. Implying that Jewish people control the economy or global policy is not only false — it’s dangerous.”
Pattern of Bigotry, or Strategic Messaging?
Observers note that Trump’s blend of Islamophobic and antisemitic rhetoric is not new. Throughout his political career, he has courted extremist rhetoric to galvanize his base — from his infamous Muslim travel ban to tweets attacking Jewish journalists and lawmakers.
This latest series of remarks comes as Trump faces declining poll numbers among independent voters and increased pressure from far-right factions within his party.
Some analysts believe Trump is doubling down on division to maintain relevance. Others warn that his words aren’t just campaign fodder — they are contributing to a climate of hostility that can lead to real-world violence.
Bipartisan Silence or Strategic Discomfort?
While a handful of Democrats and progressive leaders condemned Trump’s remarks, many Republicans remained silent. GOP leaders have yet to publicly address the accusations of Islamophobia and antisemitism, though a few moderate Republicans privately expressed concern, according to Capitol Hill sources.
Jewish and Muslim advocacy groups say the silence is complicity.
Hate Is Not Strategy — It’s a Crisis
Trump’s ability to pivot from attacking Muslims like Mamdani to invoking antisemitic banker conspiracies demonstrates a troubling pattern: when facts fail, fear is weaponized. As civil rights groups rally to defend targeted communities, many Americans are left asking whether such rhetoric will continue to be normalized in the country’s political discourse — or finally rejected as the threat to democracy it truly is.
