The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the use of the term "shylock" as antisemitic on Tuesday, following its use by Donald Trump during a rally in Kansas the previous night.
Context
During a rally in support of Republican senator Roger Marshall, who is facing a tight re-election battle against Adam Hamilton, Trump used the slur while discussing Marshall's critics. He stated that they made it seem as if Marshall was "some kind of a shylock-type guy". Trump also inaccurately claimed that Marshall was "mandated by law" to pursue patients with outstanding bills.
The ADL's social media post did not mention Trump by name, leading to criticism regarding the organization's selective approach to accusations of antisemitism. The ADL stated, "The term ‘Shylock’ is rooted in a longstanding antisemitic stereotype. Regardless of intent, its use can reinforce harmful tropes about Jews and normalize language that has long been used to target the Jewish community."
