Tim Kane called President Donald Trump’s Holocaust Remembrance Day Speech, which omitted any mention of Jews, “Holocaust denial.” Image by NBC.com

President Donald Trump’s spokeswoman said his statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day that omitted specific reference to Jews was part of an effort to be inclusive. Tim Kaine saw a more nefarious motive behind the missive: Holocaust denial.

“President Obama, President Bush always talked about the Holocaust in connection with the slaughter of Jews. The final solution was about the slaughter of Jews. We have to remember this. This is what Holocaust denial is,” the former Hillary Clinton running mate said, in remarks Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

He traced the statement, as well as the president’s ‘Muslim ban’ to chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, whom he characterized in stark terms. “… you have the chief political adviser in the White House, Steve Bannon, who is connected with a news organization that traffics in white supremacy and anti-Semitism, and they put out a Holocaust statement that omits any mention of Jews,” Kaine said.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Bannon is the former head of Breitbart News, which he described as a “platform for the alt-right,” a collection of white supremacists, white nationalists and provocateurs who ape those attitudes to upset others.

Trump’s Holocaust Remembrance Day statement drew criticism from Jewish organizations across the spectrum, including the Anti-Defamation League and the Zionist Organization of America.

Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon

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.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 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

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount