Trump Condemns Anti-Semitic Threats: ‘We Have to Fight Bigotry’

President Donald Trump squarely condemned anti-Semitism Tuesday, trying to quell a controversy fanned by critics who have suggested that the president was not doing enough to confront recent bigotry against Jews.

They have pointed to a reported rising tide of bomb threats and vandalism against Jewish community centers.

“This tour was a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all its very ugly forms.”

Trump used a visit to the African-American History Museum in Washington to denounce hatred.

“This tour was a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all its very ugly forms,” he said. “The anti-semitic threats targeting our Jewish community and community centers are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.”

Trump also praised his nominee to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, who has an exhibit in his honor at the museum.

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“He’s a great guy, really a great guy,” he said, adding that Carson is a “totally brilliant” neurosurgeon.

“We’re going to do great things in our African-American communities together,” he said. “Ben’s going to work with me very, very closely.”

Trump has come under fire for an alleged reluctance to criticize anti-Jewish bigotry. At a new conference last week, he tangled with a Jewish reporter over the issue. His vanquished Democratic opponent in last year’s election, Hillary Clinton, used Twitter to call on him to do more to fight bigotry.

Trump’s remarks on Tuesday come after his daughter tweeted a call for tolerance on Monday.

“America is a nation built on the principle of religious tolerance,” wrote Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism. “We must protect our houses of worship & religious centers. #JCC.”

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Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, responded to her tweet with one of his own: “Glad to see this. All Jews need to urge  @POTUS to step forward & share a plan. His words carry weight. His actions will speak even louder.”

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich praised Trump on Tuesday.

“President Trump was very positive at national African-American Museum.his commitment to help African-Americans very encouraging,” he tweeted.