DC politician under fire for anti-Semitic statements also gave $500 to Nation of Islam

Washington, DC, councilman Trayon White, Sr. says a $500 donation to the Nation of Islam was meant to show his appreciation for local black men who have helped him to reach and help local youth.

White, already under fire for saying on Facebook that rich Jews control the weather and for leaving an organized tour of the U.S. Holocaust museum, says he donated $500 to the Nation of Islam’s Saviors’ Day gathering in Chicago from his constituent services fund because two local members asked him to.

He had initially said he did not know about the donation, though his treasurer told the Washington Post, which first reported the donation, that the councilman had ordered him to cut the check. The constituent services funds is made up of private money raised by lawmakers to help the residents of their districts.

At the convention, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan made anti-Semitic comments, including calling “powerful Jews” his enemy and blaming Jews in Hollywood for the existence of transgender people.

White made a Facebook Live video on Saturday to defend himself against the fallout from recent events. “I’m under constant attack,” White said at the beginning of the 35-minute video.

— JTA