President Donald Trump opened the White House Hanukkah celebration on Tuesday evening by sending “love and prayers” to the people of Australia following the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The event on the third night of the Jewish holiday began with a tribute to the victims of Sunday’s mass shooting, which killed 15 people and injured 25 others.
“Let me take a moment to send the love and prayers to our entire nation, to the people of Australia, and especially all those affected by the horrific and antisemitic terrorist attack,” Trump said from the East Room. He added that “all nations must stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism.” Australian officials later confirmed the shooting, which took place at an event called Chanukah by the Sea, was a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State. A father and son, aged 50 and 24, are suspects; the older man was shot dead, while his son remains in hospital.
Trump then diverged into familiar territory, boasting about his health compared to Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and calling up prominent supporters such as billionaire donor Miriam Adelson. He also warned that Congress “is becoming antisemitic” and specifically criticised Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar. “You have a Congress in particular, which is becoming antisemitic,” he said. “You have AOC plus three. You have those people, Ilhan Omar, she hates Jewish people.”
Touching on foreign policy, Trump touted his administration’s role in the release of Israeli hostages from October 7 and claimed there is now “legitimate peace in the Middle East.” He concluded by returning to the theme of Hanukkah: “The story of Hanukkah reminds us that light will always prevail over darkness and faith and triumph over fear.”
