Donald Trump gave an emotional memorial speech celebrating the lives of those lost in the October 7 massacre and promised to help Israel on four specific proposals if elected.
Trump vowed that he would not allow Israel to be threatened with destruction, nor would he stand by if another holocaust occurred. He also said he would not allow a jihad in the United States and would support Israel’s right to win its war on terrorism.
The former president’s comments came during remarks commemorating the tragic attack on Israel at his Trump National Doral Miami resort on Monday night.
His memorial speech in a glittering gold, chandelier-filled ballroom at his Miami golf club struck a more serious, measured note.
Speaking to a room of about two hundred supporters, many of whom were Jewish and wore kippahs and other traditional clothing, the former president detailed the horrors committed by Hamas against the 1,200 Israelis murdered that day.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump lights a candle with Rabbi Yeshuda Kaploun at an event marking one year since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Monday, October 7, 2024, in Miami.
“One year ago today, every civilized person was filled with shock, horror and grief at the news of such absolute evil,” Trump said. “It was demonic.”
“It seemed as if the gates of hell had opened and unleashed its horrors on the world.”
“Today we mourn the more than 1,200 innocent victims of the October 7 attacks.”
Along the walls of the ornate room were some 1,200 lit candles, each of which was a flame in remembrance of one of those killed by Hamas that tragic day.
Similarly, adorning the walls were portraits of each of the fallen.
The seats on either side of the stage had yellow roses arranged and markers reserved with the names of those still held hostage by Hamas.
Looking out at the rows of supporters and rows of empty chairs, Trump made a promise if elected.
“So here is my commitment to you on the solemn date: I will not allow the Jewish State to be threatened with destruction, I will not allow another holocaust of the Jewish people, I will not allow a jihad to be waged in the United States for our “My allies and “I will support Israel’s right to win its war on terrorism, and it has to win it,” Trump said.
He also declared that November 5, the day of the American elections, will be the most important day in history for the embattled Jewish nation.
‘November 5 will be the most important day in the history of our country. I think it will also be the most important day in the history of Israel.’
He claimed that the war would never have started if he had won office in 2020, and the public seemed to agree, breaking into a standing ovation.
Trump lights a candle for Israel’s victims during a memorial event to mark the one year anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hundreds of people attended Trump’s Miami resort to commemorate the attack.
Empty chairs with flowers and photographs of the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel before the memorial service.
The bodies of civilians killed in a Palestinian militant attack lie covered in the southern Israeli town of Sderot on October 7, 2023.
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One rabbi noted that there are still 101 hostages to be rescued, a reminder made more tangible when considering the empty rows of seats laden with flowers.
Several Holocaust survivors also attended to pay their respects to those who perished on October 7. They received loud applause when they took the stage and one sent the message: “Not again, never again, God bless Trump.”
Since the war broke out, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, in addition to more than 720 Israeli soldiers.
Trump was joined by Israeli-American billionaire Miriam Adelson, widow of late Republican donor and businessman Sheldon Adelson, whom Trump referred to as his friend and a “special man.”
Also in attendance were former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Florida Republican Reps. Carlos Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart and María Salazar.
Earlier in the day, Trump visited the grave of an influential Jewish leader in New York and met with local religious leaders there.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks with members of Chabad Lubavitch after visiting the grave of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in New York.
Trump marked the one-year anniversary of October 7 by visiting Ohel Chabad Lubavitch, the final resting place of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson the Rebbe, with the family of Edan Alexander, who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, in attendance.
Trump spoke with the family of Eden Alexander, who is still held captive by Hamas. Conservative talk show host Ben Shapiro (CR) was also present
Trump criticized Harris as a foreign affairs novice who does not have the ability to help bring peace to a Middle East in crisis.
Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attended events commemorating the Oct. 7 massacre on Monday.
Meanwhile, Harris marked one year since the Hamas terrorist attack by vowing to always ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and ensure the safety of the Jewish people.
As he spoke, the sound of pro-Palestinian protesters could be heard in the background.
Vice President and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff marked the anniversary by planting a commemorative tree on the grounds of the vice president’s residence.
“We must work to ensure that nothing like the horrors of October 7 can happen again,” Harris said. “And on this solemn day, I will reaffirm my promise to always ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and that I will always work to ensure the safety of the Jewish people here and around the world.”
