WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Congress “is becoming antisemitic,” as the “Jewish lobby” is no longer the strongest in Washington, and incorrectly claimed that he had gotten all hostages out of Gaza, despite the body of one slain captive remaining in the Strip.
The president made the comments to guests at Tuesday night’s White House Hanukkah party, where he and a collection of his top donors and supporters made a number of unconventional remarks, including that he is “the first Jewish president,” and that he could legally run for a third presidential term, which he is barred from doing.
In his comments about the rise of antisemitism in the US government, Trump initially referred to all of Congress, but then highlighted the Squad, a group of progressive Democrats, as the White House has downplayed growing criticism of Israel in the Republican Party.
“My father would tell me, the most powerful lobby that there is in this country is the Jewish lobby. It’s the Israeli lobby. It’s not that way anymore,” Trump reflected, in a new version of comments he has made before.
“You have a lot of people that don’t want to help Israel,” he continued. “You have a lot of people in Congress that don’t like Israel. You have a lot of people in Congress that in a way… they hate Israel. They hate Israel.”
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“I will always be a friend and a champion to the Jewish people,” Trump said to a cheering, albeit relatively smaller crowd at the annual gathering due to the construction of the White House East Room.
President Trump at the Hanukkah reception:
“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 which is becoming antisemitic… you got to be careful because there’s been a big change.” pic.twitter.com/wiP0n0rs2g
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) December 17, 2025
Earlier in the evening, at a different Hanukkah reception, Trump incorrectly claimed that he had gotten all remaining hostages out of Gaza before inviting the parents of Omer Neutra, a slain hostage whose body was returned to Israel, to the stage. They politely corrected him that Ran Gvili‘s body is still being held in the enclave.
1 During the White House Hanukkah party President Trump called to the stage Ronen & Orna Neutra, the parents of U.S.-Israeli deceased hostage Captain Omer Neutra. Trump said all 28 deceased hostages have been returned. Ronen Neutra told the president one deceased hostage – Ran… pic.twitter.com/34bJonwaya
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) December 17, 2025
Later, at the White House party, Trump again claimed that he did so, despite being publicly corrected earlier.
At the second event, Trump began his remarks by lamenting the terror attack targeting Jews at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia on Sunday, saying that “all nations must stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism, and we’re doing that.”
He then proceeded to give shoutouts to various supporters in the crowd, asking some of them to offer some remarks at the podium.
On stage, conservative talk show host Mark Levin called Trump “the first Jewish president” for his love of Israel and the Jewish people.
US President Donald Trump holds up a kippa with a picture of himself after he was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the word “Fight” at a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 16, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)
Trump next called on GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson to speak, quipping that she should do so quickly because “$250 million doesn’t buy what it used to.”
Adelson then told the crowd that she had spoken with lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who told her it would be legal for Trump to run for a third term, and pledged that she would donate $250 million to his campaign if the president chooses to run again, as the crowd chanted “four more years!” The US Constitution limits presidents to two full terms in office.
Miriam Adelson: “I met Alan Dershowitz. He said 4 more years. We can do it. Think about it. “
Trump: “She said think about it, I’ll give you another 250 million.”
— Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) December 17, 2025
Trump then rattled off his pro-Israel measures as president, including recognizing its sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
“I sold the rights to the Golan Heights to Israel… It could be worth trillions of dollars,” he said, adding that he only learned of the region’s value after he recognized it as being part of Israel.
“Maybe I should have asked [Israel] for something?” he joked.
Moving on, Trump claimed that now, thanks to him, “we have legitimate peace in the Middle East.”
US President Donald Trump speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on December 16, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)
Closing out his speech, Trump returned to his prepared remarks, saying that “the story of Hanukkah reminds us that light will always prevail over darkness and faith will triumph over fear.”
“Together let us honor the eternal flame and faith that has always protected the Jewish people,” he said, then turned to the crowd of Jewish leaders and added that “you are protected, you are special, special people.”
“Happy Hanukkah,” he concluded.
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