What's happened
A profile reveals Jacob Reses, chief of staff to J.D. Vance, endorses Christian nationalist views, reposting statements urging Jews to accept Christian dominance. Reses's Jewish background and close ties to Vance highlight shifting conservative attitudes, amid rising antisemitism and debates over Israel and American identity.
What's behind the headline?
Reses's endorsement of Christian nationalist rhetoric signals a significant shift within conservative circles, where support for explicit Christian dominance is increasingly normalized. His reposting of statements advocating for Jews to accept Christian invocation reveals a tolerance for, or even endorsement of, religious exclusivism that historically has fueled antisemitism. This alignment with Vance's stance on 'purity tests' and rejection of antisemitism suggests a strategic prioritization of political success over traditional Jewish concerns. The close personal bond, exemplified by Vance officiating Reses's wedding at a synagogue, underscores how personal loyalty intertwines with ideological shifts. This trend risks normalizing anti-Jewish sentiments within mainstream conservatism, especially as social media amplifies such rhetoric. The departure of Reses from the more traditional conservative stance, exemplified by Robert George's resignation from Heritage Foundation, highlights a divide: some see the embrace of Christian nationalism as a necessary political strategy, while others view it as a betrayal of core conservative principles of human equality and pluralism. The potential consequences include increased antisemitic hostility and a realignment of the GOP's ideological base, which could marginalize moderate voices and deepen divisions within American conservatism.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Reses, a Jewish conservative, amplifies Christian nationalist voices, reposting statements that call for Jews to accept Christian invocation, reflecting a shift in GOP ideology. The profile highlights his personal bond with Vance, including officiating his wedding at a synagogue, and notes the growing antisemitic targeting Reses faces online. Meanwhile, the same publication details how Reses's former mentor, Robert George, resigned from the Heritage Foundation after its leadership defended controversial figures like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, emphasizing a divide within conservative thought. The New York magazine profile underscores Reses's worldview rooted in catastrophism, framing liberalism as an existential threat and Trumpism as the only viable alternative. Conversely, the recent Broadway play 'Giant,' reviewed by The Times of Israel, explores Roald Dahl's antisemitic outbursts in the 1980s, illustrating how bigotry can be embedded in cultural figures and narratives, and how such views continue to influence perceptions of Israel and Jewish identity today. The play's depiction of Dahl's anti-Israel rhetoric, which includes conspiracy theories about Jewish control, echoes the dangerous rhetoric Reses endorses, highlighting ongoing issues of antisemitism in political and cultural spheres.
How we got here
Reses, once a Democratic-leaning Jewish teenager from New Jersey, converted to conservatism through Princeton and internships at the Heritage Foundation and in Senator Hawley's office. His trajectory reflects a broader shift among some conservatives towards embracing Christian nationalism, often at the expense of traditional Jewish and liberal values. Vance's recent public statements and Reses's support indicate a move away from anti-antisemitism rhetoric, aligning instead with a worldview that sees liberalism as an existential threat and Trumpism as the only viable alternative.
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John Arthur Lithgow is an American actor, author, musician, poet and singer. Prolific in films, television and on stage, Lithgow is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, six Primetime Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guil