Republican Jewish Coalition commits to raising $5M for Trump reelection

A major Republican grassroots Jewish group is pledging to raise at least $5 million for former President Trump’s reelection campaign, calling it the organization’s “largest effort” to shore up Jewish support.

The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) on Thursday confirmed it is launching a commitment to raise a minimum of $5 million from its donors and its super PAC RJC Victory Fund, in addition to the organization’s $15 million independent expenditure.

“2024 will be the RJC’s largest effort ever to mobilize support in the Jewish community for President Trump,” RJC’s national political director Sam Markstein told The Hill.

Fox News was the first to report on the pledge.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

The RJC, founded in 1985, describes itself as a grassroots organization that seeks to increase ties between the American Jewish community and Republican leadership in government.

Trump has maintained he is deeply supportive of Israel, pointing to his recognition of the Golan Heights territory, his relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and his administration’s signing of the Abraham Accords to normalize relations among countries in the Middle East.

But he has also faced criticism for suggesting Jewish people who do not support him politically or who are not supportive of Israel are disloyal. In March, Trump claimed Jewish Democrats were being disloyal to their faith and to Israel, with his opponents accusing him of spreading antisemitic tropes.

Matt Brooks, the CEO of the RJC, told The Associated Press (AP) in March that Trump’s comments needed to be taken in the context of the Israel-Hamas war and Democratic criticisms of Israel’s wartime conduct.

“What the president was saying in his own unique style was giving voice to things I get asked about multiple times a day,” Brooks told the AP. “How can Jews remain Democrats in light of what is going on?” He contended the Democratic Party is “no longer the pro-Israel bastion it used to be.”

The announcement follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses calling for a cease-fire in Israel’s war with the militant group Hamas in Gaza. While many protests were reported to be peaceful, some Jewish students raised concerns over the proliferation of antisemitic rhetoric and their safety.

The RJC has endorsed a handful of 2024 candidates, including state Sen. John McGuire (R) in his primary challenge against Rep. Bob Good (R) in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.

The organization also endorsed Mazi Melesa Pilip, who ultimately lost in a New York special election to now-Rep. Tom Suozzi (D) to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. George Santos (R).