Jewish, Muslim groups condemn Trump use of ‘Palestinian’ to put down Schumer

US Muslim and Jewish advocacy groups are criticizing US President Donald Trump for referring to Senator Chuck Schumer as a Palestinian, with the organizations saying the president used the term as a slur.

“President Trump’s use of the term ‘Palestinian’ as a racial slur is offensive and beneath the dignity of his office,” says Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

Awad, who is of Palestinian heritage, says Trump’s comments show the “continuing dehumanization” of Palestinians.

Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America also condemns Trump’s remarks as does Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

Donald Trump doesn't get to decide who is Jewish. @SenSchumer is the country's highest ranking elected Jewish American, and "Palestinian" should not be used as an insult.

These comments are abhorrent but revealing of why the vast majority of Jewish voters have not and will… https://t.co/vT7FOCjG8W

— Halie Soifer (@HalieSoifer) March 12, 2025

“The goal for this administration isn’t to counter antisemitism or protect Israel. It’s to weaponize antisemitism to go after their political enemies, advance an extreme agenda, and undercut democracy — and it only makes Jews *less* safe,” Spitalnick writes on microblogging platform Bluesky.

Trump, a Republican, was asked by reporters at the White House about US corporate tax rate policy during an Oval Office meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, and in response expressed displeasure with congressional Democrats not supporting his agenda.

“Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned. He’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian,” Trump said.

Schumer is the highest-ranking elected US Jewish official and is not of Palestinian heritage.