Trump Supporters Unleash Anti-Semitic Tweets at NY Times Editor
New York Times editor Jonathan Weisman Image by YouTube
(JTA) — New York Times editor Jonathan Weisman is clearly familiar with the anti-Semitism of some Donald Trump supporters in the Twittersphere. So maybe he shouldn’t be surprised by the reaction to his own tweet calling them out for it.
But it’s hard not to be a little shocked.
On Thursday, Weisman referred to Trump’s wavering renunciation of former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke back in February, Melania Trump’s justification of the anti-Semitism unleashed on reporter Julia Ioffe for her GQ profile of the would-be first lady last week and Sheldon Adelson’s recent appeal for Republican Jewish leaders to support the presumptive GOP nominee for president — all in less than 140 characters.
Melania Trump says @juliaioffe provoked vile antisemitism. Klan all in & Adelson urges Jews to back @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/7wFJwVFOSt
— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) May 19, 2016
Weisman’s tweet caught the eye of “Cyber Trump,” who proceeded to bait the Washington, D.C.-based Jewish journalist into a response.
@jonathanweisman @AriFleischer do you wish to remain hidden, to be thought one of the goyim by the masses?
— CyberTrump (@Rusted_Ovum) May 19, 2016
@jonathanweisman @AriFleischer This isn’t academy, Weisman – you can’t snub your way out of accountability for who you are.
— CyberTrump (@Rusted_Ovum) May 19, 2016
Flabbergasted that antisemitism in the Trump voter ranks isn’t getting more attention, at least from the @RJC. https://t.co/qt5uI5bUIb
— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) May 19, 2016
After the exchange made waves in the Twitterverse, the anti-Semitic deluge only got far, far worse. Weisman retweeted the responses.
@jonathanweisman @RJC @Rusted_Ovum pic.twitter.com/Xwj2BiWeJ8
— Spectre ✘ (@SpectreReturns) May 19, 2016
@jonathanweisman Another reporter and I received a photo on Twitter recently of Jews at a concentration camp, telling us to move to Israel
— Rebecca Shabad (@RebeccaShabad) May 19, 2016
@jonathanweisman pic.twitter.com/iVqpMu22pO
— Timmy Norris (@AgentTimothy) May 19, 2016
@RebeccaShabad @jonathanweisman Do it kike; after the Mexicans and Muslims you filth are next.
— pantsukampfwagen (@pantsukampf) May 19, 2016
Pictured: @jonathanweisman pic.twitter.com/yy59dyN2Rv
— Mandrake (@vicmandrake) May 19, 2016
Some took notice and attempted to throw Weisman a life preserver.
I just had a look at @jonathanweisman’s feed and I’m half-convinced civil society is doomed in this country.
— Andrew Edwards (@AndrewEdwardsLB) May 19, 2016
@jonathanweisman People are horrible. I’m sorry this is happening to you.
— Game: Blouses (@knck1es) May 19, 2016
But Weisman ultimately had to check out, presumably lest he go off the deep end.
For those who sent kind thoughts, thank you. Antisemites, thank you for showing yourselves. No more retweets. My work is done for the day.
— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) May 19, 2016
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $325,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
