Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff To Host Jewish Leaders Amidst Rising Antisemitism

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will lead an antisemitic roundtable discussion with Jewish leaders and others at the White House on Wednesday.

Emhoff, who is Jewish, will be joined by White House domestic policy adviser Susan Rice and Deborah Lipstadt, the administration's special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. Also participating is Keisha Lance Bottoms, senior adviser to the president for public engagement and former mayor of Atlanta.

Antisemitic incidents hit a record high last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League. And antisemitic rhetoric has been ramping up. Former President Trump recently met with a prominent white nationalist and Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, has publicly praised Adolf Hitler and repeatedly espoused antisemitic comments.

The officials will host leaders from 13 Jewish groups, including the American Jewish Congress, the Anti-Defamation League, and Jewish on Campus, according to CNN, who first reported the White House's plans.

Following Trump's dinner with Ye and white nationalist Nick Fuentes at his Mar-A-Lago residence in Florida, the sole Republican nominee for president in 2024 has sparked a firestorm of criticism.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell recently suggested that Trump was now "highly unlikely" to regain the presidency following the dinner. Trump has not apologized for dining with Ye and Fuentes, saying he did not know of Fuente's beliefs.

A White House advisory gave little reason to believe the president would attend the roundtable discussion, but Biden recently spoke out against the rise of antisemitism in the United States.

On Friday, Emhoff expressed his feelings on Twitter, writing: "I'm in pain right now. Perpetuating lies, such as the denial of the Holocaust, and praising fascist murderers, is dangerous and fans the flames of antisemitism and hate. We all have an obligation to condemn these vile acts. We must not stay silent."