Donald Trump has stirred significant controversy after supporters claimed he is the “first Jewish president” of the United States. This assertion appears to have originated from social media speculation, rather than any formal statement from Trump or his campaign. The characterization has left scholars, religious leaders, and legal experts puzzled, as it lacks any basis in Trump’s public statements or legal records.
The claim gained traction on platforms such as TikTok, X, and Instagram, where posts suggested that Trump supporters have shifted from identifying him as Catholic to labeling him as Jewish. Right-wing commentator Mark Levin contributed to this narrative by posting a video on Instagram, stating, “Donald Trump is our first Jewish President.” This statement quickly circulated among pro-Trump pages, often referencing Trump’s political support from certain Jewish voters and his daughter Ivanka Trump‘s conversion to Judaism in 2009. However, none of these factors confer Jewish identity upon Trump, according to religious and legal definitions.
Independent analysts and fact-checkers have noted that the “first Jewish president” claim does not appear in any official campaign materials or verified interviews with Trump. Legal scholars emphasize that religious identity relies on self-identification and personal disclosure. Without a declaration from Trump himself, these social media narratives remain unverified.
Religious Identity and Political Strategy
Trump’s historical statements about his faith have been inconsistent. Throughout the 2016 and 2020 election campaigns, he identified as a Presbyterian and more recently described himself as a “non-denominational Christian.” Public records from various debates and speeches confirm that Trump has never publicly claimed a Jewish faith. Furthermore, legal filings for his presidential campaigns do not require candidates to disclose their religious affiliation.
Some users on social media have cited a Reddit thread where Trump allegedly stated, “I’m not Protestant, and I’m not Catholic.” However, the context of this statement remains disputed and lacks corroboration. Fact-checkers stress that one cannot bestow a religious identity based purely on social media claims; it must come from the individual.
The controversy highlights how easily social media can blur the line between factual reporting and viral content. Religious leaders and scholars have expressed concern over the confusion surrounding Trump’s religious identity. Catholic commentators argue that conflating political figures with religious labels can undermine both faith and civic discourse. Earlier this year, Trump faced backlash for sharing AI-generated images of himself as a pope, which many Catholics deemed disrespectful.
The Role of Misinformation in Politics
Experts on misinformation warn that sensational narratives, especially those related to religion, tend to spread rapidly, often provoking emotional responses regardless of their factual accuracy. The claim that Trump is the “first Jewish president” fits within a larger pattern of political misinformation and identity politics in recent election cycles. Digital misinformation researchers point out that engagement-driven content can lead to significant public confusion.
Major Jewish organizations have not recognized Trump as Jewish, nor has he claimed such an identity. Jewish identity is traditionally defined by matrilineal descent or formal conversion, not by political narratives or social media memes. The lack of a formal acknowledgment of Trump’s Jewish identity underscores the importance of grounding political discourse in verified facts.
Political actors and influencers often exploit ambiguities in public personas for tactical advantages. By reframing Trump’s identity, supporters may aim to appeal to specific voter blocs or provoke opponents. Religious identity is a deeply personal aspect of political life; when manipulated for political gain or viral attention, it can erode trust in public discourse and exacerbate social division.
As the 2025 US election cycle unfolds, the claim that Donald Trump is the “first Jewish president” remains a social media phenomenon lacking any grounding in his statements or official records. The ongoing discourse illustrates the complexities of religion, identity politics, and misinformation in contemporary political landscapes.
