Trump Faces Backlash for Antisemitic 'Shylock' Remark in Iowa Speech

President Donald Trump sparked widespread condemnation after referring to bankers as "shylocks" during a speech in Iowa, a term rooted in antisemitic stereotypes dating back to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Despite the backlash from Jewish organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, which called the term "extremely offensive and dangerous," Trump claimed ignorance of its antisemitic connotation, insisting he understood it simply as a reference to high-interest moneylenders. Critics highlighted this incident as part of a broader pattern of Trump normalizing antisemitic tropes, pointing to past remarks and controversies, including his praise of Hitler's "good things" and accusations against Jewish Democrats. While his administration has publicly prioritized combating antisemitism through initiatives such as immigration screening and legal actions, the White House has not issued an apology for the remark. The controversy unfolded shortly after Trump hosted an Israeli hostage at the White House and before a meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu, intensifying scrutiny of his rhetoric. Jewish leaders emphasized that words from the President carry weight and called for greater responsibility in avoiding harmful stereotypes.