Newsmax host Grant Stinchfield peddled in anti-Semitic tropes on Wednesday night when he suggested that Jewish Americans have dual loyalty and see Israel as their “home country.” During a segment on the escalating violence along the Gaza border, Stinchfield invoked comments by a right-wing New York City rabbi to claim that the Biden administration isn’t standing behind Israel. He then wondered why Jewish Americans voted for Democrats.
“Well, he talks about moral courage. It is something, sadly, the Democrats do not have,” he declared. “And I would ask you, if you are Jewish and you are a Democrat and you are living in America today, how do you support an administration that turns its back on your home country? I do not understand it.”
Stinchfield’s remarks sparked backlash Thursday, especially from Jewish Americans. CNN anchor Jake Tapper, for instance, said on Twitter: “I don’t belong to any political party but I am Jewish and newsflash: My home country is the United States. To suggest otherwise is bigotry.”
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Stinchfield would later take to Twitter to respond to the blowback, stating "full stop" that "American Jews are Americans" before wondering why NPR didn't receive criticism for once saying Israel was a "homeland" for Jewish people. (Needless to say, there is a huge difference between NPR's article and what Stinchfield said.)
Prior to the online backlash, conservative commentator Eric Bolling announced on Thursday morning he would be filling in for Stinchfield on Thursday and Friday nights. According to a Newsmax spokesperson, Stinchfield is scheduled to speak at an event and this is why Bolling is guest-hosting.
