Jonathan Weisman on the Shifting Landscape of Antisemitism in America
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from August 6, 2025 | American Antisemitism: Being Jewish in the Age of Trump. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, journalist and author Jonathan Weisman shared his perspective on the evolving nature of antisemitism in the United States. Weisman, a veteran editor for The New York Times and author of Semitism: Being Jewish in America in the Age of Trump, drew from both personal experiences and years of reporting to illuminate how antisemitism has changed in recent years, and how Jewish communities are navigating threats from multiple directions.
Origins of Semitism
Weisman’s 2018 book grew directly out of his experience as a journalist during the 2016 campaign and Trump’s first term. While serving as a political editor, he became a frequent target of coordinated online harassment from alt-right and MAGA-aligned extremists. His book title’s unusual punctuation—three parentheses around the word “Semitism”—came from an online tactic used to identify Jewish people for attack.
Weisman recalled the torrent of imagery he and others received: doctored photos placing him in concentration camps, violent memes depicting Nazi executions, and images of Donald Trump as a gas chamber operator. He emphasized that this wave of harassment was not random but part of an organized, technology-driven effort to intimidate Jewish journalists and amplify hate speech.
Right-Wing Antisemitism: Organized and Violent
During that period, the most visible threat came from the far right. The 2017 Charlottesville rally and the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting underscored the violent potential of extremist movements. As one security analyst told Weisman at the time, right-wing antisemites “had the guns,” and therefore posed the most immediate threat.
Importantly, Weisman noted that antisemitism rarely exists in isolation. It has been intertwined with racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry—an ecosystem of intolerance that has grown more visible in recent years.
The Rise of Left-Wing Antisemitism
While his book focused mainly on right-wing threats, Weisman acknowledged that antisemitism has since expanded into new arenas. Recent years have seen the growth of violent acts and rhetoric from individuals who cannot be easily categorized on a simple left-right spectrum.
He pointed to examples such as the killing of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C., and the firebombing of pro-Israel marchers in Colorado. At the same time, Jewish students on U.S. campuses report increasing discomfort from hostile rhetoric tied to anti-Israel activism. Weisman stressed the difficulty in “ranking” hatreds but warned that threats are now coming from multiple directions.
Political Speech vs. Bigotry
A key theme in the discussion was the distinction between legitimate political debate and bigotry. Weisman emphasized that opposition to Zionism or criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic, even if the speech is controversial or offensive to some.
He disagreed with leaders like Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League, who equate all anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Suppressing political debate, he argued, risks conflating protected speech with hate and could ultimately weaken democratic discourse.
Trump’s Weaponization of Antisemitism
Weisman also expressed deep concern about how antisemitism is being used politically. Under the banner of “protecting Jews,” the Trump administration has tied antisemitism to crackdowns on higher education, immigration, and free expression.
For instance, major university research programs—ranging from physics to medical studies—have faced funding cuts in the name of fighting antisemitism. Initiatives like the “Esther Project” and the shadowy “Canary Project” have targeted pro-Palestinian activists on campuses, creating what Weisman described as a chilling atmosphere of surveillance and intimidation.
Consequences for American Jews
Weisman warned that politicizing antisemitism risks worsening it. By aligning Jewish identity with partisan agendas, Jewish students and communities may face collective punishment and increased hostility. He described it as a dangerous cycle: the more antisemitism is invoked as a political weapon, the less safe Jews may ultimately become.
Historically, he reminded the audience, Jewish communities have thrived in pluralistic, democratic societies that protect free expression and tear down walls of division. If freedoms continue to erode under the guise of defending Jews, Weisman cautioned, the long-term vitality of American Judaism could be at risk.
Conclusion
Jonathan Weisman’s reflections underscored the complexity of today’s antisemitism. No longer confined to one political faction, it now emerges from multiple directions—sometimes violently, sometimes rhetorically, but always dangerously. His call to action was clear: protecting Jewish life in America must not come at the cost of undermining democracy, free speech, and pluralism—the very conditions that have allowed Jewish communities to flourish.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.