Donald Trump, fresh off a colorful speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s Presidential Forum, used social media Friday morning to declare himself the winner of the event.
Responding to Bloomberg Politics’ Mark Halperin, who conducted an interview critical of Trump with former Bush administration press secretary Ari Fleischer, Trump tweeted: “I totally won the RJC meeting. Know many members who said ‘not even close.’ Only FULL standing O. But don’t want $’s”
Trump appeared to be doubling down in on remarks he made during his speech, when he said to the audience of wealthy Jewish donors, “You’re not gonna support me because I don’t want your money. You want to control your politicians, that’s fine. Five months ago I was with you. I do want your support, but I don’t want your money.”
He also drew boos from the crowd for refusing to pledge to keep Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, saying during a question-and-answer session he wanted “to wait until I meet with” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The billionaire businessman also tried to make a connection to the audience, by saying, “I’m a negotiator like you folks, we are negotiators.”
The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-Semitism watchdog, later came to Trump’s defense saying in a statement that “we do not believe that it was Donald Trump’s intention to evoke anti-Semitic stereotypes.”
