Trump Claims Kamala Harris Rejected Josh Shapiro as Running Mate Due to His Jewish Faith

During a speech at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, former President Donald J. Trump alleged that Vice President Kamala Harris rejected Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her vice-presidential pick due to his Jewish background. Trump asserted, “They turned him down because he’s Jewish,” in a speech that meandered through various topics.

The assertion that Shapiro was overlooked because of his Jewish faith has gained traction among Trump and his supporters, especially following Harris’ selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Shapiro’s vocal support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas drew criticism from progressive activists before Harris made her choice.

Shapiro has dismissed the idea that antisemitism influenced Harris' decision. Noting that Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish, Shapiro stated last week, “I can tell you that antisemitism had no impact on the dialogue between the vice president and me, period,” in response to claims pushed by Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, in Philadelphia.

Trump reiterated his claim in Wilkes-Barre, further provoking controversy by comparing the current threats faced by Jewish Americans to those experienced during the Holocaust. “Any Jewish person that votes for her or a Democrat has to go out and have their head examined,” Trump declared at the rally. He continued, “If you see what’s happening with Israel and Jewish people, there has never been a more dangerous time since the Holocaust if you happen to be Jewish in America. They turned him down for other reasons, but the primary reason is because he’s Jewish.”