NY state attorney says he was target of anti-Semitic Trump supporters

Cnaan Liphshiz

(JTA) — New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said he has been the target of “gruesome” anti-Semitic tweets from supporters of Donald Trump, whose for-profit Trump University is the target of a state lawsuit alleging fraud.

Schneiderman also joked that he would leave the United States for the Dominican Republic if Donald Trump is elected president.

Schneiderman made the remarks during an interview published Thursday by the New York Daily News. The state attorney, who is Jewish, also said that he had been the subject of personal attacks from Trump.

Schneiderman in 2013 filed on behalf of the state a $40 million civil lawsuit against Trump for his “Trump University” — now known as Trump Entrepreneur Initiative — charging that the real estate training program was a “bait-and-switch” scheme.

The Republican presidential candidate denied all accusations, calling Schneiderman a “political hack.“ In February, Trump accused President Obama of bribing Schneiderman with a campaign contribution to bring the lawsuit against Trump University.

The case is not expected to go to trial until after the election. New York’s highest court  is expected to hold a hearing this fall on a motion by Trump’s lawyers to dismiss several of the claims brought by Schneiderman.

s can reach me in the Dominican Republic if there is a Trump administration,” Schneiderman said jokingly during an appearance before the Daily News editorial board Thursday.

Schneiderman, a Democrat and supporter of the party’s presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, echoed statements made by her Thursday, when he accused Trump’s campaign of fomenting racist sentiment, including against Jews.

“You don’t get to choose your bigots. Once you go after Muslims and you go after Mexicans, it’s open season,” he said.

Schneiderman added: “I think probably we are better off having it out in the open rather than having winks and dog whistles for the bigots.”

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