Trump Faces Backlash for Antisemitic Slur Use at Iowa Rally

At a rally in Iowa, President Donald Trump used the term "shylocks" to describe certain bankers while celebrating the passage of his signature tax-and-spending bill, sparking widespread accusations of anti-Semitism. The term "shylock" originates from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" and is widely regarded as an offensive stereotype of Jewish moneylenders. Trump defended his use of the word, stating he had never heard it was considered anti-Semitic and described it simply as referring to high-rate money lenders. Jewish leaders and Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Daniel Goldman, condemned the use of the term as "blatant and vile antisemitism," arguing that Trump knowingly employed an offensive trope. Critics also pointed out that Trump has normalized anti-Semitic stereotypes and conspiracy theories during his administration. The incident draws parallels to a 2014 event when then-Vice President Joe Biden used the term and later apologized after criticism from the Anti-Defamation League.