Trump Defends Use of “Shylock” Term, Denies Knowledge of Antisemitic Connotation

Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term “shylock” is widely regarded as antisemitic, after using it during a speech in Iowa to describe unscrupulous moneylenders. Speaking to reporters early Friday, Trump said, “I’ve never heard it that way… To me, a shylock is somebody that’s a money lender at high rates.”

The word “shylock” originates from the Jewish moneylender character in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, who demands a pound of flesh as collateral. Over the centuries, the term has come to symbolize antisemitic stereotypes about greed and financial manipulation.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) criticized Trump’s remark, calling it “extremely offensive and dangerous.” In a statement, the ADL said, “President Trump’s use of the term is very troubling and irresponsible… It underscores how lies and conspiracies about Jews remain deeply entrenched in our country.”

Trump used the term while discussing the repeal of the estate tax in his speech Thursday night: “No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing some from, in some cases, a fine banker and in some cases shylocks and bad people.”

Though Trump’s administration often touted its actions against antisemitism—including immigration screening policies and a legal battle with Harvard over alleged tolerance of antisemitic behavior—he has previously drawn criticism for invoking Jewish stereotypes. In 2015, he told members of the Republican Jewish Coalition, “You want to control your politicians,” referencing Jewish donors and political influence.

He was also condemned for hosting a dinner with a Holocaust denier at his Florida club and for accusing Jewish Democrats of “disloyalty” to Israel, a comment widely criticized as reinforcing the trope of dual loyalty.

The controversy over “shylock” echoes a similar incident in 2014, when then–Vice President Joe Biden apologized for using the same term, calling it a “poor choice” of words.

The ADL emphasized that “words from our leaders matter,” adding that greater responsibility is expected from the nation’s top public figures.