The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), a grassroots organization representing tens of thousands of Jewish Republicans nationwide, has announced an unprecedented fundraising and expenditure effort in support of former President Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
According to Sam Markstein, the RJC’s national political director, the organization aims to raise a minimum of $5 million from donors and its super PAC, the RJC Victory Fund. This effort is in addition to a $15 million independent expenditure campaign, the largest in the RJC’s history.
The announcement comes as anti-Israel protests have erupted on college campuses across the country in response to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The protests have garnered significant attention, with demonstrators criticizing President Biden’s support for Israel and calling for universities to sever financial ties with the Israeli government.
While polls suggest that Democrats are divided on the demonstrations, Republicans are largely unified in their opposition. Markstein argues that these protests, coupled with rising antisemitism, have energized the Jewish community to support Trump and reject the perceived failures and betrayals of the Biden administration.
The RJC, founded four decades ago, is a key organization within the Jewish Republican community. The late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson served as a prominent leader and financial supporter of the RJC for many years.
During the 2024 GOP presidential nomination race, the RJC remained neutral and hosted the annual leadership meeting in Las Vegas, attended by major Republican contenders. Former Vice President Mike Pence announced the suspension of his campaign at this event.
The RJC endorsed Trump in early March, shortly after Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina governor, ended her bid for the presidency.
