\u201cI will always be a friend and a champion to the Jewish people,\u201d Trump said to a cheering, albeit relatively smaller crowd at the annual gathering due to the construction of the White House East Room.<\/p>\n
President Trump at the Hanukkah reception:<\/p>\n
“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\u2026 you got to be careful because there’s been a big change.” pic.twitter.com\/wiP0n0rs2g<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The American Conservative (@amconmag) December 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 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>, a slain hostage whose body was returned to Israel, to the stage. They politely corrected him that Ran Gvili<\/a>\u2018s body is still being held in the enclave.\n<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 Ran\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/34bJonwaya<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) December 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Later, at the White House party, Trump again claimed that he did so, despite being publicly corrected earlier.\n<\/p>\n At the second event, Trump began his remarks by lamenting the terror attack<\/a> targeting Jews at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia on Sunday, saying that \u201call nations must stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism, and we\u2019re doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n He then proceeded to give shoutouts to various supporters in the crowd, asking some of them to offer some remarks at the podium.<\/p>\n On stage, conservative talk show host Mark Levin called Trump \u201cthe first Jewish president\u201d for his love of Israel and the Jewish people.<\/p>\n \t Trump next called on GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson to speak, quipping that she should do so quickly because \u201c$250 million doesn\u2019t buy what it used to.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u201cfour more years!\u201d The US Constitution limits presidents to two full terms in office.<\/p>\n Miriam Adelson: \u201cI met Alan Dershowitz. He said 4 more years. We can do it. Think about it. \u201c<\/p>\n Trump: \u201cShe said think about it, I\u2019ll give you another 250 million.\u201d <\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/wVzZuQI0iG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) December 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Trump then rattled off his pro-Israel measures as president, including recognizing its sovereignty over the Golan Heights.\n<\/p>\n \u201cI sold the rights to the Golan Heights to Israel\u2026 It could be worth trillions of dollars,\u201d he said, adding that he only learned of the region\u2019s value after he recognized it as being part of Israel.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I should have asked [Israel] for something?\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n Moving on, Trump claimed that now, thanks to him, \u201cwe have legitimate peace in the Middle East.\u201d<\/p>\n \t Closing out his speech, Trump returned to his prepared remarks, saying that \u201cthe story of Hanukkah reminds us that light will always prevail over darkness and faith will triumph over fear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTogether let us honor the eternal flame and faith that has always protected the Jewish people,\u201d he said, then turned to the crowd of Jewish leaders and added that \u201cyou are protected, you are special, special people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHappy Hanukkah,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tUS 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 \u201cFight\u201d at a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 16, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS \/ AFP)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AFP__20251217__88DB3GQ__v1__HighRes__UsPresidentDonaldTrumpAttendsAHanukkahReception-640x400.jpg\")
\n\t\tUS 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)<\/p>\n
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