In-town pool report #7: Trump remarks at Hanukkah reception / lid

At the White House Hanukkah reception, POTUS gave a campaign style speech about his support for Israel, touting the June strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and the Gaza ceasefire agreement brokered by his Administration.

He mentioned familiar phrases “fake news,” “Pocahontas,” “AOC plus three” and more scattered throughout the 40-minute speech as audience members cheered and occasionally chanted. At one point a handful of audience members shouted “Four more years” and “We love Trump.”

POTUS joked that this is the first time he brought notes to a speech at a holiday dinner. “I’ve done so much for Israel that I have to read!”

He mentioned that two Democratic members of Congress were in attendance at the Hanukkah reception: Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.).

Other members of Congress in attendance: Reps. Paul Gosar, Ronny Jackson, Mike Lawler, Max Miller, Craig Goldman, and Randy Fine. POTUS also gave a shoutout to former Sen. Norm Coleman, RJC's Matt Brooks, IAC's Elan Carr, radio personality Sid Rosenberg, broadcaster Mark Levin, and assistant AG for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, all of whom were in attendance he said. Also spotted in the East Room: Laura Loomer, AJC's Ted Deutch, former WH advisor Avi Berkowitz, and Will Scharf.

POTUS opened by condemning the antisemitic mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, an attack that Australian police said was inspired by the Islamic State group.

“Let me take a moment to send the love and prayers to the entire nation, the people of Australia, and especially all those affected by the horrific and anti-Semitic terrorist attack, and that's exactly what it is—anti-Semitic.”

POTUS briefly paused his remarks after spotting an audience member needing assistance. “Is there a doctor? Get a doctor over there.”

He continued: “As President of the United States, I will always support Jewish Americans, and I will always, I will always be a friend and a champion to the Jewish people.“

“If you go back 10, 12, 15 years ago at the most, the strongest lobby in Washington was the Jewish lobby. It was Israel. That's no longer true. You have to be very careful. You have a Congress in particular which is becoming antisemitic. You have AOC plus three, you have those people."

“We did peace in the Middle East, and we have a real peace… if Hamas acts up, they know it's big trouble.”

Rabbi Levi Shemtov began the menorah-lighting along with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as audience members sang. POTUS departed the platform and looked on from below.

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Nik Popli

Politics Reporter

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