Rona Kaufman, a self-identified progressive feminist and Democrat, has thrown her support behind Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election, citing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of recent terror attacks and antisemitism.
Breitbart reported that Kaufman, who has previously been critical of Donald Trump, publicly changed her political allegiance due to her frustrations with the Biden-Harris administration.
Her shift was prompted by the administration's perceived inadequacies in dealing with the October 7 terror attack and their overall foreign policy stance.
In an op-ed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Kaufman detailed her reasons for endorsing Trump, sparking considerable discussion both locally and nationally. The op-ed, titled "Why I, a progressive feminist Democrat, am voting for Donald Trump," challenges her party's current policies and approach.
Kaufman’s criticisms focus on what she perceives as a lack of moral clarity from Democrats in response to the war Israel is facing and the broader threats posed by Islamist ideology. She argues that the Republican Party’s stance is more aligned with her views on foreign policy, especially regarding Iran and Israel.
Her endorsement has raised eyebrows given her background and previous opposition to Trump.
Kaufman cites specific failures in handling antisemitic violence, particularly on college campuses, and the party's approach to foreign policy which she describes as appeasement.
The publication of Kaufman’s op-ed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is noteworthy, especially considering the venue's proximity to where Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who leads the Biden-Harris administration’s antisemitism strategy, recently spoke. Kaufman criticizes Emhoff for allowing a radical group into the antisemitism policy-making process.
Since the terror attacks on October 7, Kaufman points to an increase in antisemitic incidents both in urban areas and on campuses, criticizing the Democratic response or lack thereof. This sentiment is echoed by other Jewish feminists, who feel abandoned by left-wing feminists post-attack.
Traditionally, Jewish voters in the U.S. have leaned Democratic, but Kaufman’s shift may reflect a broader trend among Jewish voters who prioritize Israel's security and the fight against antisemitism.
This contrasts with other Jewish voters who prioritize domestic issues such as abortion rights over foreign policy concerns.
Phyllis Chesler, another prominent Jewish feminist, has also voiced dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s response to recent events, highlighting a potential shift in the political landscape.
Kaufman expressed her disillusionment in her own words: "After witnessing the horrors of Oct. 7 and realizing that too many Democratic Party elected officials and constituents lack the moral clarity to respond effectively, I have decided to vote Republican."
"I am voting for the party that is more likely to contain Iran and remind it and its terror proxies that America will defeat their threats to democracy and freedom; more likely to support Israel in its defensive, existential war; and more likely to protect civil rights by punishing unlawful acts of violence and antisemitic harassment on college campuses," she added.
Kaufman further clarified her stance against the Democratic Party: "I am not voting for the party that chooses appeasement as its foreign policy. I am not voting for the party that took no definitive action as antisemitic violence raged on college campuses across the United States."
As the election draws nearer, both parties will likely address these issues more directly, aiming to secure and perhaps sway voters who may still be undecided.
