New York Times editor Jonathan Weisman called out anti-Semitism among Donald Trump supporters on Twitter, and was immediately flooded with anti-Semitism by Trump supporters on Twitter.
In a tweet Thursday, Weisman alluded to the ugly response to a GQ article last month by Julia Ioffe that profiled Trump’s wife, Melania Trump. Ioffe received a slew of anti-Semitic threats over the phone and on social media from Trump supporters for her portrayal of the would-be first lady — but Trump didn’t question the views of these supporters, and his wife said their anti-Semitism was “provoked.”
In the same tweet, Weisman mentioned that the Ku Klux Klan is “all in” for Trump — a reference to David Duke, a former Klan leader and notorious anti-Semite who voiced support for Trump. It took Trump months to disavow Duke’s backing.
Lastly, in the same 140 characters, Weisman mocked Jewish billionaire Sheldon Adelson’s recent change of heart on Trump — a candidate he spurned for most of the campaign.
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 Twitter user “Cyber Trump,” a Trump supporter and anti-Semitic troll, 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 You guys can only scream anti-Semite, holocaust and Hitler so many times before people tune you out.
— Trump Putsch (@DreadCrash) May 19, 2016
@jonathanweisman @RJC @Rusted_Ovum pic.twitter.com/Xwj2BiWeJ8 — Spectre ✘ (@SpectreReturns) May 19, 2016
@pantsukampf @RebeccaShabad @jonathanweisman pic.twitter.com/LupMDWFQee
— Naughty Raspberry (@HelloRaspberry) May 19, 2016
@jonathanweisman pic.twitter.com/iVqpMu22pO — Timmy Norris (@AgentTimothy) May 19, 2016
@cougarhokie @splcenter @jonathanweisman what’s wrong with robust debate? pic.twitter.com/T6euB41tAj
— Henry Smith (@FoundersRace) 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
