Starting with the worst of the positions on the spectrum on Israel in the MAGA movement, let’s say moving left to right in your mind’s eye, is, first, a virulent antisemitism, and, second, anti-Israel. As I and I’m sure many others see it, the anti-Israel position, contrasted still from antisemitism, itself breaks down into at least two categories that still find themselves eye-to-eye. One is primarily religious, theological, or biblical and the other focuses on international relations or United States foreign policy. A large portion of this viewpoint also fulfills both categories.
Later on the spectrum under the MAGA umbrella is a traditional Zionist wing, something Tucker Carlson said he hates more than anything, which apparently would include Nazis and Communists. Later he semi-retracted and slightly walked back his hatred into some good and nice people, who would help you on the side of the road if you needed it, are Zionists. In perhaps attempting to turn the large Zionist portion of MAGA to the other side means insulting their beliefs by saying Jews themselves are the source of their doctrine unbeknownst to them.
Some Diversity in the Ranks
These are not credible people, not scripturally astute, called upon by the anti-Zionists either to persuade or just mock the Zionists. Someone might wait for some exegesis and instead he gets comic book caricatures of the nature of the funny page or Saturday morning cartoons, except with underlying rage, threats, and often filthy expletives. The rising, yet probably exaggerated numbers, of the “America First” isolationist wing of MAGA often flirts with a brand of replacement theology or outright hostility toward the Jewish state.
For the Christian, the most dangerous part of the worst side of this spectrum isn’t just the political disagreement, but the way it uses theology as a tool for political mobilization rather than an expression of biblical truth. On the other hand, the MAGA movement frequently invokes the term “Judeo-Christian values.” This sounds noble to the average churchgoer, but what does this mean in a movement that includes everyone from devout Roman Catholics and New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) “prophets” to secular nationalists and “trad-cath” influencers who are openly hostile to the biblical promises for ethnic Israel?
3. PRO-ISRAEL
A portion of the MAGA coalition supports Israel because of the benefits from it. I believe Donald Trump himself belongs here on the spectrum. His and other’s support for Israel is driven by a combination of strategic geopolitics, domestic political alliances, and personal connections. Trump often frames his decisions in terms of “making deals” and American strength. He understands the majority and strongest base of his support comes from evangelicals who support Israel, but this isn’t all.
Trump has long term relationship with advocates for Israel and received enthusiastic monetary support from Jewish friends. He maintained those friendships with pro-Israel Jews. They were loyal to him and he to them, because he highly values loyalty as a trait.
Jews and Trump and Pro-Israel
Ivanka Trump, Trump’s daughter, became herself a convert to orthodox Judaism and married a prominent New York Jew, Jared Kushner. This makes family part of the support for Israel that Trump would not rescind. In addition, intelligence, talent, and effectiveness are important to President Donald Trump. Including Jews in his administration fits his desire for the best people, so several prominent Jews work with him on his team.
*Howard Lutnick (Secretary of Commerce): The billionaire CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald serves as a primary economic voice in the administration. He played a massive role in the 2024-2025 transition, vetting thousands of appointees.
*Stephen Miller (Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy): Perhaps the most influential ideological architect in the West Wing, Miller is the driving force behind the administration’s immigration and border security policies.
*Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy to the Middle East): A real estate mogul and longtime personal friend of Trump, Witkoff leads the administration’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, specifically focused on expanding the Abraham Accords and resolving the conflict in Gaza.
*Lee Zeldin (EPA Administrator): The former New York Congressman is a high-profile Jewish Republican who leads the Environmental Protection Agency with a focus on deregulation and energy independence.
*Adam Boehler (Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs): A veteran of the first Trump term, Boehler coordinates the administration’s efforts to bring home Americans held abroad.
*Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump: While they have officially taken a more “background” role compared to the first term to focus on private life in Miami, Kushner remains a key informal advisor on Middle East policy, and their presence remains a central part of the Trump family legacy.
*Charles Kushner (Ambassador to France): Trump appointed Jared’s father to this prestigious diplomatic post, further cementing the family’s ties to his second administration.
*Boris Epshteyn: A longtime legal and political strategist, Epshteyn remains a central figure in Trump’s legal defense and campaign strategy.
*David Sacks: A tech entrepreneur and “AI & Crypto Czar” advisor who has become a major voice in the “Silicon Valley” wing of the Trump coalition.
Helpful, Loyal, and Pragmatic
These pro-Israel Jews help Trump. They are loyal to him and he to them. All of them to various extents, some to a much greater degree, helped him with the The Abraham Accords. This occurred in his first administration, but the strategy, continuing into his second term, focuses on bypassing the Palestinian issue to broker direct normalization deals between Israel and Arab nations like the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. This aims to create a new regional security architecture centered on economic and military cooperation.
Little to zero percentage of Trump’s pro-Israel stance and then those like him in the MAGA coalition relate to theology. They might hear the theology and nod affirmatively, but it sounds like someone speaking a foreign language to them. They have a pragmatic relationship to these issues, much like the Romans or the Persians in times past chose to befriend the Jews. Trump and others like him have a value system that calls balls and strikes in the world like they see them. They recognize dumpster fires or other worse language to describe unacceptable cultures.
One could say that the people of this pro-Israel part of the Trump coalition will not cut off their nose to spite their face. They have a great ability in most cases to the see through what they hear as noise. They easily flush or dispose of the worthless verbiage and propaganda, practicing that over their entire lifetimes.
Not Going to Turn on Them
Trump and his allies in this category come from their own version of a realist foreign policy, where they view Israel as the most stable and reliable United States ally in a volatile region. A central pillar of the policy is a “maximum pressure” on Iran. Trump likes winning and toughness and Israel has quite a recent record for those two traits. Benjamin Netanyahu embodies those qualities and hits all of the markers for what Trump values in a partner. This goal of diminishing Iran brought together a coalition of the enemies of my enemies are my friends.
Israel with its small population and territory became the most successful nation in the Middle East in a short period of time, despite an underdog status. The nation functions more like the United States than anyone in that region. Also more than any other nation, it can contribute to the success of the United States. It bears the fruits of functioning according to what Trump and those with his views understand as the principles of economic success. He and they want more of this, not less of it.
Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, are Jews. Mark Zuckerberg is a Jew. Steve Ballmer is a Jew. The head of Goldman-Sachs is a Jew. Trump respects all that. It doesn’t make him angry or jealous.
Just Saying
Like those of old understood going back thousands of years, those of this pro-Israel persuasion acknowledge something supernatural with Israel. Perhaps it arises from the biblical roots of American culture and Western civilization. Moses is in fact on the Supreme Court building. The ten commandments are Jewish.
Trump will not depose of his Jewish support because of conspiracies and weird theological views from Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, and Candace Owens. They’re more like small chihuahuas inside a fence, chirping in the back yard. You notice them as you look out the window at the larger surroundings. No one should care that much about what they think is their own significant barking. They are loud and annoying. Just block them out.
More to Come