CAIR Says Trump’s Use of ‘Palestinian’ as Racial Slur is ‘Beneath the Dignity of His Office’

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Washington, D.C. – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s use of the term “Palestinian” as a racial slur, calling it offensive and beneath the dignity of his office.

During an Oval Office meeting, President Trump remarked that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., “is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned. He’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore.”

In response, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad, who is of Palestinian heritage, criticized the remark, stating that President Trump’s use of the term as a racial slur is offensive and beneath the dignity of his office. He called for the president to apologize to the Palestinian and American people, adding that the continued dehumanization of the Palestinian people has resulted in hate crimes against Palestinian-Americans, the U.S.-enabled genocide in Gaza, and decades of denial of Palestinian human rights by successive presidential administrations.

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According to a press release from CAIR, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to standing in solidarity with all communities facing discrimination, including those combating antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and white supremacy.

The press release also emphasized the broader impact of such rhetoric on the safety and well-being of Palestinian-Americans and called for greater accountability from political leaders when addressing issues related to the Palestinian people. CAIR urged the administration to recognize the consequences of inflammatory language and its role in perpetuating discrimination.

As stated in the press release, CAIR remains committed to protecting civil rights, enhancing understanding of Islam, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims.

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